site.bta Bulgarian President Talks with Czech Prime Minister

Bulgarian President Talks with Czech Prime Minister

Prague, September 6 (BTA) - Bulgaria and the Czech Republic share common views on illegal migration and security, which are matters of priority for both countries, the Bulgarian President's Press Secretariat reported on Tuesday, covering a meeting between President Rosen Plevneliev and Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka in Prague. The Czech side supports the closure of the so-called Balkan route of migration, recognizing the difficulties which Bulgaria is experiencing in protecting the external EU border under increased migratory pressure, the press release said.

The two officials met on the second and last day of Plevneliev's official visit to Prague.

Sobotka said the measures implemented by Bulgaria to protect the EU's external border have contributed significantly to a decrease in the migratory pressure on Central and Western Europe. Despite the difficulties in carrying out the relevant EU-Turkey agreement, the efforts to implement it should continue, he said.

Plevneliev noted: "We have shown that Bulgaria deserves to be trusted. We can protect the EU's external border efficiently. Therefore, Bulgaria deserves to go through the first stage of joining the Schengen area by opening up the airports and the harbours." For his part, Sobotka expressed the Czech Republic's firm support for Bulgaria's future accession to the border-free area.

The two were adamant that the integration of the Western Balkans into European and Euro-Atlantic structures should continue.

Plevneliev also spoke about Bulgaria's advantages as a major business outsourcing destination and urged Czech companies to use the opportunities provided by his country to a number of global corporations.

The Bulgarian President also met with the Czech Chamber of Deputies Chairman Jan Hamacek to discuss cooperation in security and defence, the migration crisis, the integration of the Western Balkans, and current matters figuring on the European and wider international agenda. They described bilateral cooperation in defence and military technology as excellent. It emerged at the meeting that the Czech Republic is planning to increase its defence spending to 1.4 per cent of GDP.