site.btaPresident Radev Urges Europe to Drop Idealism When it Comes to Migration and Security

Valletta, September 15 (BTA) - Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said during the final news conference of the 13th Arraiolos Group Meeting of presidents of EU Member States in Valletta, Malta, that when it comes to the security of people, there is no place for compromises and illusions. "The European Union must drop its idealistic approach and analyze the problem in depth," he said as quoted by his Press Secretariat.

In Radev's words, the efforts of the EU on migration must focus on preventing new migrant flows by helping to provide prospects for a good life for the people in their countries of origin. "Instead of providing social support to the migrants in Europe, we have to orient our policies towards creating stable societies to ensure a normal living in the countries of origin of illegal migrants," the President said.

He said that solidarity and social justice should remain key issues in the debate on the future of Europe. "If Europe is to remain an important factor on the global stage, we have to preserve the principles of solidarity and cohesion among the member states. Achieving equal living standards in Europe's East and West, and equal pay for equal work across the EU is an irrevocable conditions for the Union to be successful and united in its foreign policy," Radev said.

On the agenda of the 13th Arraiolos Group Meeting were migration, security, solidarity and the economic prospects in the EU and the neighbouring regions.

Participating in the forum were the Presidents of Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Croatia, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Malta and Slovenia.

During his visit to Malta the Bulgarian President met with a large group of representatives of the Bulgarian community.