Austria Backs Bulgaria for OECD, Schengen
18 January 2018 News
“We fully support Bulgaria’s entry into the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Schengen,” Austria’s Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs Dr Karin Kneissl told Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister for Judicial Reform and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva. Kneissl is paying a one-day visit to this country.
“Bulgaria contributed to bringing the migrant wave under control in 2015-2016 and deserves to be congratulated for this,” Kneissl added. “Considering your success then, Austria gives you wholehearted support for Schengen. I think that even the Member States which are sceptical about your admission to Schengen are starting to change their mind.”
The two Ministers reached full agreement on the European perspective for the Western Balkans. “I was delighted when I read the programme of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council,” Dr Kneissl stressed. “The programme speaks not only about a perspective for the Western Balkans but more specifically about a perspective for young people there. The subject of youth is often left out of focus, but it is a priority for our Presidency, too,” Dr Kneissl added.
The chief diplomats of Bulgaria and Austria also agreed that the dialogue between the EU and Turkey must be carried on because that country is an important partner of Europe both in the fight against terrorism and on the migrants issue. Ekaterina Zaharieva recalled that the EU sets clear accession criteria to all candidate countries, including rule of law and human rights. The Minister further emphasised that the European countries along the EU external border should not be abandoned by their partners on issues like migrants’ readmission.
Minister Zaharieva thanked her guest and stressed that, traditionally, Austria is among our closest partners in Europe, and has staunchly supported us back during our progress towards the EU. “That is why I am particularly glad that we are now together in the EU Council Presidency Trio,” she said, adding that the two countries will be steadily exchanging information so that work on the Europewide subjects that both presidencies consider important would continue without delay.
“Thank you for your sincerity and businesslike tone. Consider me your ally in these efforts,” said Minister Kneissl, who celebrated her birthday in Sofia.
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