site.bta Deputy Prime Minister Kuneva, German Minister of State for Europe Roth Discuss Judicial Reform, Refugee Problem

Deputy Prime Minister Kuneva, German Minister of State for Europe Roth Discuss Judicial Reform,
Refugee Problem

Sofia, February 5 (BTA) - The judicial reform in Bulgaria, the refugee problem and regional issues were high on the agenda of a meeting here Friday between Deputy Prime Minister Meglena Kuneva, who is in charge of European policies, coordination and institutional affairs, and Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at the German Federal Foreign Office.

Speaking at a briefing after the meeting, Roth described the relations between Bulgaria and Germany as stable and productive, adding that this is what the two countries needs at the moment: trust, friendship, solidarity and readiness for joint actions. Roth said that at the moment there are many crises in Europe, noting that acting together and in a decisive manner, the European countries must tackle nationalism and populism.

The German guest also said that his government welcomed the good steps made in the judicial reform in Bulgaria in the past year, the independence of the system and the stabilization of the rule of law. Germany agrees with the European Commission that 2016 should be the year of further reformist steps, Roth noted, expressing his country's readiness to aid Bulgaria in this direction, all the more so that the German industry is ready to make more investments in Bulgaria.

Dwelling on the refugee problem, Roth said he was glad that Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has spelled it clearly that Bulgaria and Germany are "on the same line" concerning the refugee question and that Bulgaria wants to play a constructive role in solving the problems.

Kuneva said that in the person of Roth Bulgaria sees a convinced European and someone who offers solutions so that Europe remain united.