NEWS

"We must be honest and clearly draw a distinction between those migrants who escape to save their lives and those who seek economic prospects. We cannot guarantee that every migrant will get the job and the salary they wish to have.” This is what President Rosen Plevneliev said in Prague at a joint news conference with the President of the Czech Republic Milos Zeman.  In the Czech Republic, where he is on a two-day official visit, the Head of State recalled that Bulgaria was one of the first EU nations to clearly point to a growing migratory pressure on the external EU borders, and said that the country strictly observes the Dublin and Schengen rules.

 

“Meanwhile we should not only effectively protect the EU borders, fight human traffickers, but also address the root causes of the migratory flows to Europe,” President Plevneliev emphasized and called for ensuring a more prominent role of the EU border agency Frontex and pooling efforts to protect the sea borders. "We must show that it is not right to let millions cross the EU borders unimpeded. However, we see no contradiction between protecting the borders and safeguarding human rights and freedoms," the Bulgarian Head of State said.

 

In the Prague castle in the Czech capital Presidents Rosen Plevneliev and Milos Zeman discussed security and defense issues, the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkan countries, issues figuring on the EU agenda, the diversification of energy sources, and also ways to strengthen trade and economic cooperation. The Ukrainian crisis and the recent terrorist attacks in Europe were also highlighted at the talks.

 

President Rosen Plevneliev voiced gratitude to the Czech Republic for its support for Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen border-free area. "Bulgaria is coping much better with protecting the European borders than many Schengen countries. Bulgaria deserves to be a Schengen member and this cause should be promoted," the Head of State said.

 

Presidents Plevneliev and Zeman voiced their contentment with the upward trend in bilateral trade and economic relations. In 2015, Bulgaria's annual trade with the Czech Republic was worth almost 1 billion euro, and showed a three-fold increase in just four years. The total amount of Czech investments in the Bulgaria has reached 570 million euros. The information and communication technology sector, car industry, agriculture and food production, among a number of other areas, were highlighted as spheres with an enormous potential for development. The Head of State also highlighted Bulgaria's advantages as a year-round tourist destination and voiced hope that the country will become more visible to Czech tourists.

 

The President assured that he would do his best to ensure that the problems of Czech investors in Bulgaria are put on the agenda of Bulgarian institutions. 

 

The two were unanimous that restoring peace in Europe through diplomacy is a priority for the EU and the only way to ensure the long-term security and stability of the Old Continent.

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