Bulgaria deserves much stronger support in guarding one of the EU's longest external borders and it is a big mistake that for years it has been left to cope alone, said Karl Nehammer
Not allowing Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area will not make Europe stronger and more secure. The two countries, as frontline states on the European border, can contribute to the effective reform of the Schengen system and join the concerted efforts with the other member states. This is what President Rumen Radev said in his speech at the Wachau European Forum, which is taking place in Austria. The event discusses various policies for the future of Europe with the participation of politicians and representatives of civil society.
The European way of life means security and prosperity, Rumen Radev said. In his words, Bulgaria's inclusion in Schengen will contribute to this, especially in times of crisis. We fully understand that Schengen is a sensitive issue for Austrian society and I am not here to lobby, but to say that Bulgaria is protecting the 300 km border, which is the external border of the EU, in the best possible way, the head of state said. He noted that this country had financed the protection of the border with own funds, and has mobilised significant human resources, including servicemen, to guard the border in difficult terrains. Last year, migration pressure had increased fourfold, but this country was reporting a serious reduction in the number of migrants leaving the country.
President Radev expressed gratitude to Austria for its support in the fight against illegal trafficking and border security. We must be mindful of the fate of people crossing the border. Powerful international trafficking networks take advantage of them, the President said. He added that powerful centres for financing illegal migration are located across Europe. Therefore, in addition to Bulgaria's efforts to secure the border, this country has also initiated a working group for cooperation and information exchange to disrupt and neutralise the international financial flows that control illegal migration.
In his speech to the participants in the forum Rumen Radev pointed out that Bulgaria is among the strong supporters of the European integration of the Western Balkans. In the current critical situation, however, we should not compromise on the respect of the Copenhagen membership criteria and the protection of human rights, the President said and gave the example of the Republic of North Macedonia and the provision of the necessary guarantees for the respect of the rights of Bulgarians there and their inclusion in the country's constitution.
The head of state further said that in the context of the war in Ukraine, the EU and NATO countries should take all measures to ensure the security of European citizens. In his words, the latest developments in Russia with the Wagner group are creating a new centre of instability given the nuclear and chemical weapons in the country.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer highlighted as a major mistake by the EU that Bulgaria had been left alone to deal with the security of one of the EU's longest external land borders over the past years, including at the cost of human casualties. Carl Nehammer thanked for the friendly relations he had built over the years with President Rumen Radev and highlighted the strong support he had given within the European Council to support Bulgaria's efforts to secure its external borders with Turkey. Austria believes that the bureaucratic approach is not fair and Bulgaria deserves much stronger support as a frontline country in the fight against illegal migration.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also took part in the event. The international event in Lower Austria has been organised since 1995, when Austria joined the EU, and is held in the Göttweig Abbey as a symbol of the unifying idea of European politics, Christian values and taking into account the positions of society.