Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Austria and the Netherlands are saying “no” to Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen, for now

| updated on 12/6/22 2:53 PM
Photo: archive

In a comment on Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area, made at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tirana, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte stated that next year Bulgaria could take steps forward. 

“At this stage, it's not “no” for Bulgaria, it's “not yet”. More time will be needed for two reasons: a new assessment of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, and the Schengen Verification Mechanism. I spoke with President Rumen Radev and I'm optimistic that next year we can take steps forward,” Mark Rutte said.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer also stated that Austria is against the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area. “More time is needed. We have 75,000 unregistered illegal immigrants in Austria. This means that they have crossed the external border of the EU and have ended up in a landlocked country like Austria. We have to answer these security questions first," Karl Nehammer said.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sheep infected with smallpox in Zhelyo Voivoda village to be euthanized

In Zhelyo Voivoda village, a flock of sheep infected with smallpox will be euthanized after laboratory tests confirmed that the animals are indeed infected. BNR’s correspondent in Sliven reports, citing the local administration, that the animals..

published on 11/29/24 10:47 AM

Low emission zone put in place in Sofia as of 1 December

As of 1 December until the end of February, driving an old car in the centre of Sofia will be subject to a EUR 25-100 fine. The fines for legal entities will be 10 times higher – from EUR 500 to EUR 1,000. The low emission zone was put in place..

published on 11/29/24 10:25 AM
Ivaylo Mirchev

Ivaylo Mirchev from Democratic Bulgaria: We look ridiculous in people’s eyes

The due date for preventing the prospect of Borislav Sarafov taking the position of prosecutor general is drawing close, as is the deadline for coordinating the budget, Ivaylo Mirchev from Democratic Bulgaria said in an interview with public service..

published on 11/29/24 9:17 AM