Austria

MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk, part of the Renew Europe Group, has cautioned against Bulgaria's acceptance of an Air Schengen arrangement, emphasizing its potential harm to the country's standing. In an interview with BNR, Kyuchyuk expressed concern, stating, "It would be pernicious for Bulgaria to agree to an Air Schengen only.

"Bulgaria will continue its current actions to protect the external borders of the European Union, but will certainly not accept additional conditions", said Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov.

According to him, Schengen by air means more amenities at airports and fewer queues.

A recent EU survey by YouGov and Datapraxis conducted across six member states highlights contrasting opinions on potential expansions. Support for Ukraine's accession emerges, but skepticism looms over Turkey and the Western Balkans. The findings impact upcoming decisions at the European Council summit regarding EU enlargement and budget allocation.

The Survey's Key Insights:

The United States' behind-the-scenes efforts have influenced Austria's change of heart regarding Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen entry, according to reports by the Austrian newspaper Der Standard. Recent discussions led by former US Ambassador Ronald Lauder and US Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien in Vienna played a pivotal role in convincing Austria to lift its veto.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Nikolai Denkov, lauded Austria's recent shift in stance as a positive step towards Schengen expansion. This move by Vienna signifies a willingness to grant Bulgaria and Romania entry into the border-free travel area, albeit limited to air travel for now.

Recent Eurostat findings shed light on Bulgarian households' cultural spending, indicating a meager 1.5% expenditure on cultural goods and services in 2020. This figure, trailing only behind Greece's 1.3%, underscores Bulgaria's position with spending notably below the EU average of 2.6%.

The European Commission has defined as a positive development Austria's proposal to eliminate border checks when traveling by air from Bulgaria and Romania. We are glad to see that things are moving in a positive direction, said a spokesman for the commission at a press conference in response to a question.

"Countries not yet admitted to Schengen should not have to pay for their membership by accepting more refugees".

New conditions for Schengen. Vienna wants increased border control between Bulgaria and Romania, as well as sending Austrian advisers to work with teams at the airports in Bucharest and Sofia. It is also a condition that Romania and Bulgaria accept Afghans and Syrians seeking asylum.

Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov clarified that ongoing negotiations with Austria have yet to yield a finalized agreement for Bulgaria's accession to Schengen by air. Speaking to bTV, Denkov emphasized the necessity for compliance with general European regulations, dismissing the prospect of Bulgaria adhering to specific rules exclusive to the nation.