site.btaUK Minister of State Alan Duncan Visits Sofia

Sofia, July 14 (BTA) - Meeting with Sir Alan Duncan, the visiting UK Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in charge of Europe and America here on Friday, Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said that Bulgaria relies on the UK to remain an important partner in the counter-terrorism efforts, in security and trade. "You are leaving the European Union, not Europe," Zaharieva told the guest as quoted by her Ministry.

She stressed that it is important for Bulgaria that the rights of close to 80,000 Bulgarian citizens who live in the UK, be guaranteed during the Brexit talks. She also said that the EU must stay united during the talks and that Bulgaria fully trusts the team of the EU chief negotiator for Brexit, Michel Barnier.

Sir Alan Duncan said that, indeed, his country leaves a club - not the region, and that it is determined to be more active in cooperating in the area of security and trade.

He said that without the citizens of other European countries Britain will be faced with a labour shortage in sectors including construction and health care.

He hailed the huge interest in British universities among Bulgarian high school leavers.

The two sides also discussed the preparation of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council.

Zaharieva thanked for the British support for the Bulgarian judicial reform and said that her country will request more assistance missions in the judiciary and will continue to rely on help from the UK.

The top Bulgarian diplomat also thanked for the British support for Bulgaria's admission to the Schengen area.