''Bulgaria could join the so-called Air Schengen'', President Rumen Radev told reporters on Sunday. ''This is a step forward, but we must be very careful not to be left with the label ''Bulgaria is in Schengen now'', Rumen Radev said. ''It is critically important to open the land borders'', Rumen Radev added. In his words, the conditions set by Austria are difficult for Bulgaria to accept. Vienna proposes a threefold increase of the Frontex mission in Bulgaria, enhanced border controls between Bulgaria and Romania and between Hungary and Romania and sending Austrian advisers to work at the airports in Bucharest and Sofia. Bulgaria and Romania must also agree to accept migrants from Afghanistan and Syria.

On Monday, Bulgaria’s Minister of Interior Kalin Stoyanov will hold talks with his Austrian and Romanian counterparts in search of a political agreement on Bulgaria’s and Romania's accession to Schengen.

• Austria to loosen the veto against the entry of Bulgaria and Romania into Schengen