site.btaBulgaria Expects European Commission to Broker Talks on Full Schengen Entry

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said on Thursday that the European Commission will mediate in negotiations on the country's full Schengen entry, now that Austria is expected to support an end to border checks in air travel only.

"The strategy is to negotiate on land border checks. We have drawn up a proposal and will send it to Austria. We will use the European Commission as a mediator in these negotiations," Denkov told Bulgarian journalists in Brussels, where he is attending a EU-Western Balkans Summit and a European Council meeting. The Prime Minister said he had discussed these issues with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer. "The preliminary talks have taken place, already are willing to carry on this discussion," he added.

In his words, there is no talk of splitting Bulgaria from Romania regarding Schengen accession. "I am hearing that the Romanian authorities are mentioning this option, but have not raised it bilaterally or with the Commission," he specified.

The PM confirmed that Hungary had warned that it may veto the Schengen enlargement if Bulgaria keeps the contribution it has introduced on Russian natural gas transit. Hungary has sent a communication to this effect, which is official albeit at a low level, Denkov said. "We decided that we don't need to take risks at this point with important steps that are not decisive for Schengen," he added. "The contribution was important for the Bulgarian budget and for balancing the fuel market," the Prime Minister pointed out.

It transpired on December 11 that Bulgaria is putting on hold the BGN 20/MWh contribution on the transit of Russian gas.

Regarding media reports alleging that Russian oil at prices above the EU-imposed cap has been imported via Bulgaria. "The Bulgarian authorities and the Neftochim refinery have not committed violations, but various tanker companies are taking opportunities to evade the sanctions against Russia," Denkov specified. "Bulgaria is authorized by the European Commission to act in this way," he added.

Denkov said that Bulgaria backs an increase of EU spending on border protection and on Ukraine. In his words, because of the threat of Russia attacking other European countries as well unless Ukraine is helped, the expenditures would be far larger on preparing Europe for a possible attack or for its prevention.