site.btaForeign Minister Mitov Comments Turkey's EU Accession, Migration and Sanctions on Russia ahead of European Council

Foreign Minister Mitov Comments Turkey's EU Accession, Migration and Sanctions on Russia ahead of European Council

Sofia, December 14 (BTA) - Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov briefed journalists on Bulgaria's position for the upcoming European Council on December 15. The EU leaders will focus on migration and Brexit. Turkey has dropped from the agenda.

Mitov explained that on the issue of Turkey's accession, the General Affairs Council failed to adopt conclusions or reach an accord, as a result of which the item dropped from the agenda.

If the issue is raised anyway, Bulgaria will insist for reconfirming the commitment to the EU-Turkey agreement on migration reached in March, said Bulgaria's top diplomat. "Bulgaria believes that it is necessary to continue the negotiating process with Turkey."

Mitov also commented that the agreement between the EU and Turkey on readmission and the negotiating process towards Turkey's accession are "reliable and sustainable instruments for carrying through long-term activities of shared interest, for preventing humanitarian crises and for development of the strategic prospects of relations between the countries and their citizens".

On the issue of migration, Bulgaria will underscore the need to continue supporting all countries on the front line and to ensure the full rapid-reaction capacity of the European Border and Coast Guard.

Mitov said this country will also highlight the need of effective implementation of the agreement with Afghanistan and of signing migration accords for cooperation and further dialogue with third countries.

On the issue of security, Bulgaria is unwilling to withdraw its objections to a proposed regulation on the establishment of an entry-exit system to speed-up, facilitate and reinforce border check procedures for non-EU nationals travelling to the EU, said the top Bulgarian diplomat.

He argued that it remains unclear what the national role will be in the functioning of the new system.

Commenting the sanctions against Russia, Mitov said that the sanctions depend on the implementation of the Minsk agreements and implementation must be full. "If and when the Minsk agreements are observed to the full, then we can think of reconsidering the sanctions."

"This position is fully shared by the EU member states. The EU unity in this case must be preserved. We have a consensus that has long been reached and Bulgaria has no intention to ruin it," the Bulgarian Foreign Minister said.

Mitov's words were reiterated by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov who said, as quoted by his press office, that Bulgaria, with all the objections it has to Turkey in a number of areas, has the strategic position that the agreements with Turkey should be respected and that they deserve the credit for containing the refugee wave.

Borissov also said that 140 Afghan migrants have already been removed from Bulgaria and another 200 are having their documents processed by the Afghanistan Embassy to be flown back home. "This follows the internationally established procedures and in full compliance with all applicable conventions and directives, and human rights," Borissov said.