Gerhard Karner

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has announced that Romania is set to become a part of the Schengen area through its land borders by the end of this year. This declaration comes as Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner refrained from providing a specific timeframe for overcoming the veto on Romania and Bulgaria's entry into Schengen through land routes.

Austria's Minister of the Interior, Gerhard Karner, has announced that Austria will adopt a cautious approach towards Bulgaria's full accession to the Schengen area. Karner emphasized that Austria will withhold its decision until the effects of Bulgaria's entry into Schengen by air and water are assessed thoroughly.

Austria's Minister of the Interior, Gerhard Karner, has reiterated his steadfast opposition to the full admission of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area, particularly via land borders. Karner emphasized the importance of adhering to the agreed-upon entry terms for Bulgaria and Romania, which currently only allow for air and sea access.

In a recent interview with Die Presse, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner shared insights into the complexities surrounding the Schengen entry of Bulgaria and Romania. Addressing concerns about the overall disarray in the migration system, Karner stressed the need for a functioning system at the European level.

UPDATE: The European Commission and Bulgaria confirmed that there is no obligation to accept additional refugees. Read more about this new information here.

Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov participated today in a tripartite meeting with the interior ministers of Austria and Romania - Gerhard Karner and Catalin Predoiu, at which he introduced them to Bulgaria's position for full Schengen membership, the Ministry of the Interior announced.

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

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.

This was told to the Austrian APA agency at the Ministry of the Interior in Vienna.
"Close cross-border cooperation in the fight against brutal people smugglers is absolutely necessary. The knowledge of Austrian drone specialists is therefore also sought after on the border of Serbia and North Macedonia," Interior Minister Gerhard Karner told the agency.

Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov is leaving today for his first official visit to Vienna in an attempt to change Austria's decision to block Bulgaria's membership in the Schengen area. Talks with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and meetings in the Austrian Parliament are planned.