Nehammer and Karner are demanding EU funds for a border fence on the Bulgarian side based on the Greek model. They are sticking to Austria’s veto against the Schengen accession of Bulgaria and Romania.
Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (both ÖVP) visit the Bulgarian-Turkish border on Monday. Before the trip to Bulgaria, Nehammer called for more EU support in protecting the external border. In particular, this involves EU funds for a border fence on the Bulgarian side based on the Greek model.
Austria vetoed the Schengen accession of Bulgaria and Romania in December because of illegal migration. Before the visit, Nehammer emphasized that Austria’s Schengen veto will remain in effect “until the situation fundamentally changes.”
Nehammer and Karner drive to the border together with the Bulgarian President Rumen Radew and the Bulgarian Minister of the Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev. A visit to the regional coordination center of the border police near the city of Elhovo is planned, as well as a meeting with the Bulgarian Prime Minister Galab Donev after the return trip to Sofia.
(WHAT)