Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) received Bulgarian President Rumen Radew in Vienna on Friday. The two agreed on the issue of migration. “Austria and Bulgaria share a strong partnership, especially in the joint fight against illegal migration, smuggling and trafficking in human beings,” Nehammer said in a statement after the meeting. Radev made a similar statement. Initially they did not comment on the less harmonious subject of Schengen.
Before leaving for Austria, the Bulgarian president had told Bulgarian journalists that during the meeting with Nehammer he expected progress in Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen. According to the BTA news agency, Radev was quite optimistic that October 1 was a realistic date to join the border-free Schengen area. Together with the Netherlands, Austria prevented Bulgaria from joining the Schengen, which was scheduled for early this year. So far there are no signs of Austria relinquishing its veto on this issue.
“Fighting illegal migration together”
“Bulgaria and Austria will continue their joint efforts to fight illegal migration and will work to protect the EU’s external borders in the interest of the security of European citizens,” Radev said on Twitter after the meeting.
According to the Federal Chancellery, Nehammer thanked Bulgaria for the important steps already taken in this area and referred to the EU pilot project for the implementation of asylum procedures at the external border. Once again, the Chancellor stated that there was a consensus that European asylum policy could not continue like this. Together they will work towards more robust protection of the EU’s external borders, faster returns and partnerships with third countries. The issue of migration should be given a prominent place at the forthcoming European Council.
The reason for Radew’s visit was participation in the European Forum Wachau on Saturday at the invitation of Nehammer. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also a guest at the event at Göttweig Abbey.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
