site.btaMaltese Foreign Affairs Minister Abela:Malta and Bulgaria Share Many Common Positions in EU

Sofia, February 5 (BTA) - Maltese Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela said that Malta and Bulgaria share many common positions within the EU. He spoke emerging from a meeting here on Monday with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva.

He said this provided opportunities for both countries to continue to develop their excellent relations. Abela congratulated Bulgaria on the preparations for the EU Presidency.

For her part, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said that Malta and Bulgaria share many common positions and have no outstanding issues between them. She said that the two countries can develop bilateral relations through more business and tourism.

Zaharieva said that both countries are situated at a crossroad, are proud of their history, boast one a rich cultural heritage and have many things to take from each other. She said that Malta and Bulgaria concur on the issues of migration and refugee policy, Brexit, and the multiannual financial framework.

Taking a reporter's question on the new Frontex operation, Themis, against illegal migration in the Mediterranean, Abela said that under the new plans by Frontex, the range will be reduced significant and forces will be moved to the north.

Abela said that Malta is against the plans and criticized the European Commission for not holding enough consultations with the countries that will affected by the change.

Abela said that the relocation of the forces to the north will open up new migrant routes and an area will be left not covered by Frontex personnel.