site.btaJuncker: "Bulgaria, as Frontline Member State, Can Count on EC's Support in Strengthening Its Security"

Juncker: "Bulgaria, as Frontline Member State, Can Count on EC's Support in Strengthening Its Security"

Brussels, September 13 (BTA Correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker sent a letter to Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on Monday, saying that he will use the EU Summit in Bratislava on September 16 as "a good occasion to underline the importance of prompt collective assistance to reinforce the protection of the external border in Bulgaria," BTA learnt from the Commission's press service on Monday.

"I am well aware and applaud the efforts of the Bulgarian authorities involved in that mission," Juncker writes, referring to the security of the EU external borders. He adds that "the additional support provided so far falls far short of what was defined as necessary by Frontex, including in the provision of additional technical support to Bulgarian authorities." The President intends to raise the matter once again at the Bratislava summit.

The EC looks forward to receiving a formal application swiftly for additional emergency assistance.

"The Commission understands the specific concerns of Bulgaria that the effective management of the common external borders of the European Union must deserve a common response," Juncker writes. "In the remaining weeks before the new European Border and Coast Guard is up and running, we maintain and intensify the ongoing work to support the Member States under most pressure with the use of the existing wide range of supportive activities provided in the existing Frontex Regulation," the letter reads. In Juncker's opinion, it is essential that the period of the implementation of the March 18, 2016 EU-Turkey Statement does not see the emergence of new routes for the flows of migrants from Turkey to the EU.

The EC President fully endorses the need for the EU to step up the support for the consolidation of the Bulgarian border infrastructure.

A common contingency plan was agreed in March 2016 and can be activated immediately should the situation on the ground so justify, Juncker points out. In this context, he has asked the relevant Commission officials to travel to Bulgaria in the coming days to discuss this further.