site.btaCzech Republic to Help Bulgaria Protect EU's External Border

Czech Republic to Help Bulgaria Protect EU's External Border

Prague, September 5 (BTA) - The Czech Republic will help Bulgaria protect the EU's external border. This transpired during a joint news conference given by the two countries' presidents, Milos Zeman and Rosen Plevneliev, in Prague on Monday. Plevneliev started a two-day official visit to the Czech Republic earlier in the day and held talks with his counterpart, the Bulgarian President's Press Secretariat reported.

Zeman explained that the two sides will negotiate the technicalities of the assistance needed by Bulgaria and this will happen as soon as possible. He urged the other EU member states to show solidarity with the countries experiencing the highest migratory pressure.

Plevneliev stated that ever since the onset of the migration crisis Bulgaria has been working efficiently along the EU's longest land border with Turkey. He said: "Our good results also stem from the fine cooperation between the Bulgarian and Turkish authorities. In order to combat illegal traffickers, address the problems of immigrants and protect their rights and freedoms, we need to work together with Turkey. We sincerely believe that the EU-Turkey agreement has a deep meaning and will be implemented." According to Plevneliev, the interaction between the Bulgarian and Turkish authorities in curbing the migratory pressure proves that the agreement can work, one way or another.

Taking a reporter's question, the Bulgarian President stated: "We do not want the so-called Balkan route to be reopened and we do not want alternative routes to be forged."

He called for a pragmatic approach and closer cooperation between the EU and its neighbours in tackling the migration crisis in order to assuage the fears of European citizens about mass migration to Europe from neighbouring crisis spots. "We need tighter control of our external borders, more efficient diplomacy and closer cooperation," Plevneliev said further in the Czech capital.

"We must be honest and state clearly that there is a difference between those migrants who flee for their lives and those who seek economic prospects. We cannot guarantee that every migrant will get the job and the pay they want," he said. He recalled that Bulgaria was one of the first EU nations to clearly point to a growing migratory pressure on the bloc's external borders, and said that the country is strictly following the Dublin and Schengen rules.

The guest stressed that protecting the EU borders and fighting human traffickers should go parallel with addressing the root causes of the migratory flows to Europe. He called for a more prominent role of the EU border agency Frontex and a stronger effort to protect the sea borders. "We must show that it is not right to let millions cross the EU borders unimpeded. But we see no contradiction between protecting the borders and respecting human rights and freedoms," he said.

Plevneliev and Zeman discussed security and defence matters, the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans, issues figuring on the EU agenda, the diversification of energy sources, and ways to promote trade and economic cooperation. The Ukraine crisis and the recent terrorist attacks in Europe were also among the highlights of the talks.

Plevneliev thanked the Czech Republic for its support for Bulgaria's intended accession to the Schengen border-free area. He said: "Bulgaria is coping much better with protecting the European borders than many Schengen countries. Bulgaria deserves to be a Schengen member and this goal should be attained."

The two presidents expressed their satisfaction with the upward trend in bilateral trade and economic relations. In 2015, Bulgaria's annual trade with the Czech Republic came close to 1 billion euro, tripling in just four years. Total Czech investment in the Bulgarian economy has reached 570 million euro. The sides noted that bilateral relations have much potential to develop further in the field of information and communication technology, auto manufacturing, agriculture and food production, among a number of other areas. Plevneliev underscored Bulgaria's advantages as a year-round travel destination and expressed hope that the country will become more visible to Czech tourists.

The guest vowed to help put the problems of Czech investors in Bulgaria on the agenda of Bulgarian institutions.

At the start of his visit, the Bulgarian President was welcomed with an official ceremony in the Prague Castle. After his one-to-one meeting with his host, the two countries' delegations held official talks.