site.btaForeign Minister Mitov Calls on EU to Adopt Comprehensive and Balanced Approach to Migration

Foreign Minister Mitov Calls on EU to Adopt Comprehensive and Balanced Approach to Migration

Luxembourg, June 21 (BTA) - Addressing an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg on June 20, Bulgaria's chief diplomat Daniel Mitov said it is essential for the EU to have a comprehensive and geographically balanced approach to migration, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry reported. Mitov said: "Not a single region or route should escape our attention if we want to find a lasting solution to the current crisis."

The meeting discussed the migration crisis and the efforts to address the root causes of migration.

Mitov noted that the migratory flow from Turkey to the Greek islands decreased considerably after the March 18 EU-Turkey Statement. But he still sees a serious risk that the migration route via the Western Balkans may be restored and new routes may be forged, because Turkey is failing to implement its readmission agreement with the EU. Mitov told his EU counterparts that the Turkish authorities refuse to carry out the agreement in respect of citizens of third countries and noted that the issue concerns all EU member states, not just the frontline states.

The foreign ministers also exchanged opinions on the situation in Macedonia and expressed deep concern about the ongoing political crisis in the country. Mitov said normalizing the political situation in Macedonia and maintaining good neighbourly relations are of primary importance for the stability of the entire region. He pointed to the urgent need to conduct inclusive dialogue between all political parties and civil society in the country in order to tackle the domestic crisis. The first step to this end should be to set a date for parliamentary elections together with the opposition, he advised.

Discussing the liberalization of the EU visa regulations for Georgian travellers, Mitov said Georgia is one of the most ambitious Eastern Partnership nations. He welcomed the fulfillment of all criteria for lifting the visa regulations and expressed his conviction that the abolition of the visa restrictions will give a strong impetus to Georgian reforms.

Mitov also stated that Bulgaria supports the efforts to resume the Middle East peace talks in which the Quartet should play a leading role. He believes a definitive solution to the Middle East conflict can only be found through direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine.