site.btaPresidents of Bulgaria, Cyprus Agree on Need of Common European Solution for Migrant Crisis

Presidents of Bulgaria, Cyprus Agree on Need of Common European Solution for Migrant Crisis

Sofia, February 22 (BTA) - The visiting President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, and his Bulgarian counterpart Rosen Plevneliev agreed Monday that it will take a common European approach to deal with the migrant crisis. "It is important to work for eliminating the root cause of the crises which have resulted in this unprecedented migrant pressure on Europe," the two Presidents said at a joint news conference following their one-on-one meeting and plenary talks of the two delegations.

Nicos Anastasiades is paying an official visit here February 22 and 23 at Plevneliev's invitation. On the agenda of the talks between the two presidents are the development of the bilateral economic and trade cooperation, the projects for energy diversifications in the region, the partnership between the two countries in the EU, the fight against terrorism, and the crisis in the Middle East.

President Plevneliev said that Bulgaria is in favour of finding a sustainable common European solution based on cooperation among all EU countries, and is working toward finding such a solution.

The Bulgarian Head of State spoke of a need to strengthen controls on the external EU border and to see Europe being pro-active and act resolutely to eliminate the root causes of the crisis rather than react to the events when millions of protection-seekers reach its borders.

Plevneliev briefed his guest on the measures that Bulgaria is taking to protect the external EU border. "We observe the rules, act responsibly and efficiently, in keeping with the EU regulations," he said.

He said that every single migrant who enters Bulgarian territory, gets registered by the competent authorities.

President Anastasiades commended the President and government of Bulgaria for the measures that are being taken to ensure border security.
 
He said that the migrant crisis can threaten the unity of the EU unless its root causes are addressed.
   
In the presence of the heads of state, the two sides signed memorandums of understanding in the energy sector and in agriculture, and a protocol for cooperation in tourism.

Later in the day Plevneliev and Anastasiades will open a Bulgarian-Cypriot business forum.

The guest is also scheduled to confer with National Assembly Chairperson Tsetska Tsacheva, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte.