site.btaDeputy PM Buchvarova: Bulgaria Will Not Trade Schengen Membership for Refugee Acceptance

Deputy PM Buchvarova: Bulgaria Will Not Trade Schengen Membership for Refugee Acceptance

Sofia, September 11 (BTA) - Bulgaria will not trade its acceptance into the Schengen Area for the acceptance of refugees: these are two different problems, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Roumyana Buchvarova said. She was speaking at Fridays opening of an international conference on security in SE Europe.

Bulgaria deserves to become part of the Schengen Area because it has met all technical requirements and is entitled to that, for its citizens are equal to all other citizens of European countries. Besides, this has also been set down in the pre-accession treaty.

Buchvarova is considering to raise the issue of the refugees passing through Bulgaria who refuse to remain here before the European Council. They cross the country quickly and head for their final destination. The first task of Bulgaria's policy in respect to migration pressure is to keep it in control, Buchvarova said, adding that illegal border crossing is declining.

The most important challenge to security is the integration of the newcomers to Europe, and this should be dealt with different measures, the Deputy PM said.

The forum, which features ministers, diplomats and experts, is held under the auspices of President Rosen Plevneliev.