site.btaPresident Plevneliev: Cooperation and Integration Are Right Answer in EU Crises Resolution

President Plevneliev: Cooperation and Integration Are Right Answer in EU Crises Resolution

Sofia, September 15 (BTA) - Speaking at a news conference of the presidents of parliamentary republics in the EU who are taking part in the Arraiolos meeting, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said the future of united Europe, migration and security topped the agenda.

Bulgaria is hosting the 12th Arraiolos meeting.

Plevneliev said: "Today we are discussing ways to boost confidence in the EU at a time of growing risks and an unstable international order. We need partners to cope with those crises."

He stated: "We ought to show the strength of cooperation and integration, they are the right answer in resolving the crises." Europe needs strong institutions and everyone should contribute to the regaining of confidence in the European institutions.

The EU is faced with a record large number of crises. None of them can be handled by the nation state alone, it is an illusion that the nation state can cope with them better than the EU, Plevneliev stressed. "An all-European solution is the only one that works. We believe in the EU's potential and want an EU of strong nation states," the Bulgarian President said.

"It is a mistake not to identify problems, that is why talking about the migrant crisis and terrorism we concurred that the citizens' security is a total priority. We will tighten control along the EU's external borders. It is a shared position that the EU-Turkey migrant deal is fragile, but it works. We will sign a readmission agreement with dozens of other countries," Plevneliev also said.

The EU should not be associated only with regulations and restrictions - it is a symbol of freedom and open borders, and should be less bureaucratic and more understandable to people, the Bulgarian President said.

The democratic transformation of the Balkans is an incomplete process which should be supported, according to him. The European project will not be completed without the countries of the Southwestern Balkans.