site.btaPoliticians React to Reportsthat Turkey Has SuspendedReadmission Protocol with Bulgaria

Politicians React to Reports that Turkey Has Suspended Readmission Protocol with Bulgaria

Sofia, June 16 (BTA) - Bulgarian politicians on Thursday commented on media reports that Turkey has unilaterally suspended a readmission protocol with Bulgaria after Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's refusal to back Romania's initiative for a joint fleet with Bulgaria, Turkey and Ukraine in the Black Sea.

The "24 Chassa" daily wrote on Thursday that, on the orders of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey had suspended the protocol because of Borissov's refusal to okay Bulgaria's participation in a joint fleet involving Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Ukraine in the Black Sea. Although the suspension has not been confirmed by official sources. Borissov told journalists he had no information about Turkey' intentions concerning the readmission protocol. "However, it is a fact that Bulgaria had 200 rejections for 200 migrants," he added.

According to Angel Naydenov MP of BSP-Left Bulgaria, Turkey's decision is not just a suspension of a bilateral protocol but a direct violation of the EU-Turkey readmission agreement, which his parliamentary group finds "deeply unacceptable". Naydenov, who is a former defence minister, described this as "direct interference in Bulgaria sovereign right to make decisions regarding its national security".

Nevertheless, the Socialists backed Borissov's refusal to commit to himself to the joint Black Sea fleet initiative.

Yanko Yankov MP of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly Defence Committee, said that it should be said unequivocally that a war with Russia is impossible even "in the sickest plans of some politicians". He stressed that this is a proposal for joint action in the Black Sea and is not targeted against Russia.

Expressing a personal opinion, Patriotic Front Co-floor leader Valeri Simeonov spoke in favour of the idea of a joint fleet in the Black Sea. "I would like to see Bulgaria join such a joint fleet. It is better than having to suspend the readmission protocol with Turkey, which is crucial to Bulgaria, as an EU border with Turkey," he said, adding that it is a matter of choosing the lesser evil.

Democrats for Strong Bulgaria Deputy Leader Atanas Atanasov did not rule out a suspension of the readmission agreement as a tactical move prompted by the strained relations between the EU and Turkey. "I hope that Bulgarian diplomacy, which has been efficient, in the past years with regard to relations between Bulgaria and Turkey will take the necessary steps," he said.

Ataka leader Volen Siderov said that Bulgaria is wrong in its policy towards Turkey, treating it as a friendly partner country. "Turkey is an anti-European country and is working against Europe's unity. It holds others to ransom and, therefore, reciprocal measures should be taken," the Ataka leader argued. He suggested strict restrictions on trade and on the transit flow of passengers and trucks.