site.btaTalks with UK Should Be Transparent, Humane and Should Protect European Citizens' Rights - President

Talks with UK Should Be Transparent, Humane and Should Protect European Citizens' Rights - President

Sofia, July 3 (BTA) - "We are all disappointed with the results of the referendum for the United Kingdom's membership of the EU but we, the other member countries, remain within one family," Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said in an interview for the French TV channel, France 24, quoted by his Press Secretariat. "In the EU-UK talks that are to follow we are determined to protect the rights of the Bulgarians, residing in the Kingdom, and of all Europeans availing themselves of the right of free movement across united Europe," the Bulgarian President also said in the interview.

"The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU should be legitimate and humane and we should remain close friends and partners with London," said Plevneliev. He warned that the referendum in the United Kingdom and its outcome give a a signal to Europeans not to yield to the influence of populists and nationalists but stick instead to European values.

The Bulgarian President stressed that Bulgaria remains a pro-European country, firmly affiliated to the European family. "In Bulgaria, we do not accept a scenario of leaving the EU. There are no political leaders making such appeals," he stated.

The goal of the EU is most of all to guarantee peace on the Continent, Plevneliev said adding that disunity remains the most serous danger for the Europeans. "We should not allow the emergence of the heaviest crisis - the moral one - which will divide us. We need unity."

"We can cope with the migrant crisis only through a common European approach. Together, we should strengthen border security. We should apply the readmission agreements with third countries and be proactive," Plevneliev said.

He appealed again to the European leaders to remain united in their position on the Ukraine crisis and work together for restricting external threats that could destabilize the Continent.