“The criteria for Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen, which are entirely technical, were met by the country as far back as in 2011. That is known well to all members of the Schengen area, including the governments of the Netherlands and Austria,” caretaker PM Galab Donev said during today’s hearing in parliament, and added that the negative positions by the governments of the Netherlands and Austria against Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen are more likely to be caused by domestic policy considerations.

“We shall have to wait until the European Council meets on 15 and 16 December to clarify whether a discussion will be held on Schengen and what possible decision could be made on the matter,” Galab Donev said.