Austria

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.

Bulgarians are the unhappiest nation in the European Union. Austria, Poland and Romania rank in the top 3 of the happiest nations. This is shown by a new survey of the European Union, which is conducted every year by Eurostat. The rating scale goes from 0, which is absolute dissatisfaction with life in the country, to 10, which indicates that things could not be better.

The Austrian media reports that the Minister of the Interior of Austria, Gerhard Karner, is ready to loosen the veto on the expansion of the Schengen area with Bulgaria and Romania.

Greece has among the highest antibiotics consumption among EU countries, ranking third in 2021 behind Romania and Bulgaria, with three times the consumption of Austria, which is last in the rankings.

A recent study by France's Rexecode Institute has shed light on the work habits of Europeans, placing Bulgarians near the top of the list for work hours among EU citizens. The findings, published on Wednesday, revealed that Bulgarians worked an average of 1,993 hours a year in 2022, trailing just behind Romania in this respect.

Spanish fashion retailer Zara is expanding its used apparel scheme to Greece and another 13 European countries from December 12, Reuters reported the company as saying on Tuesday. Their 'Pre-Owned' service will sell, repair and donate second-hand clothes.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen affirmed the strong bonds between Greece and Austria, emphasizing their shared values and positions during the official visit of the Greek president to Vienna on Tuesday.

Spain, holding the EU Presidency, remains non-committal about arranging an urgent Council meeting to vote on Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen membership.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska expressed Europe's strengthened stance with the integration of both countries but refrained from committing to a timeline, citing ongoing efforts.

Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov acknowledged the increasing complexities in negotiating Bulgaria's Schengen entry following the recent Dutch elections. However, he remains optimistic, stating that progress has been made and will be presented at the European Union's foreign ministers meeting, even though no immediate vote is anticipated.

The European Union's interior ministers will refrain from voting on Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen entry during the Home Affairs Council meeting today. Instead, they will assess both countries' preparedness for joining the free movement area.