NEWS

Rumen Radev: The Timely Responses to Migration Crises and the Security of the European Citizens Should be Leading EU Priorities

The clear definition and establishment of the principle of EU solidarity and improvement of the common European policy in the sphere of granting asylum will be key topics during the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. This is what President Rumen Radev said, who held a meeting with Dimitris Avramopoulos, EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, at 2 Dondukov street today.

The talks focused on creating mechanisms for responses to sudden migration flows towards the European borders and the common European measures that should be taken to guarantee the EU citizens’ security, without infringement of their rights.

Dimitris Avramopoulos said that the European Commission lays great hopes on our country related to conducting negotiations in the sphere of granting asylum and guaranteeing security during Bulgaria’s Presidency. “Bulgaria has experience in protecting the borders, it is one of the countries at the “front line” of the migration flows towards Europe and was subject to a serious migration pressure in the past years. The European Commission will provide technical support and expertise to the Bulgarian authorities. I am sure that at an important time for Europe, Bulgaria will be remembered as a country that has fulfilled its duty to reaffirm the European values,” Commissioner Avramopoulos said. He insisted that every member state should assume the responsibility to prevent new crises since the migration problem cannot be completely solved once and for all.

Commissioner Avramopoulos confirmed that Bulgaria meets the technical criteria for joining the Schengen area and voiced hope that a consensus on proceeding toward our country’s full-fledged membership will soon be reached within the Council of the EU.

“The existence of unwritten criteria for joining the Schengen area is unfair to the EU citizens,” Head of State Rumen Radev was adamant. The President said that for Bulgaria Schengen accession is not simply a matter of improving security, but is related to improving the investment environment in the region and guaranteeing optimal conditions for the business.