site.btaEuropean Commission to Consider Additional Financing for Bulgaria to Guard EU External Border

European Commission to Consider Additional Financing for Bulgaria to Guard EU External Border

Sofia, March 27 (BTA) - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker sent a letter to President Rumen Radev expressing the Commission's readiness to examine Bulgaria's long-term needs of additional financing for guarding the EU external borders, the President's Press Secretariat said.

Juncker's letter has been prompted by talks the head of State had in Brussels and a written proposal, which Radev has sent to the European institutions. Radev has suggested the adoption of a common EU operational action plan for crisis situations and the provision of additional financing for strengthening the capacity for guarding the Bulgarian borders.

At present the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) is carrying out an evaluation of the vulnerability of all EU member states, including Bulgaria, which will be ready in April. On the basis of this evaluation, the Commission has readiness to send a mission of experts, who will determine on the spot Bulgaria's needs in the field of border security.

Juncker says in the letter that the Commission will carry out a detailed analysis and consider extension of additional financial support, outside the already provided 167.3 million euro, for the guarding of the external borders, the press release says.