site.btaEducation Minister Kuneva Confers with Greek Counterpart Filis

Education Minister Kuneva Confers with Greek Counterpart Filis

Athens, April 22 (BTA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Education and Science Minister Meglena Kuneva is on a working visit to Athens, where she conferred with her Greek counterpart, Minister of Education, Research and Religious Affairs Nikolaos Filis, Kuneva's ministry said Friday.

A common European approach to the recognition of knowledge, skills and qualifications of refugees and migrants coming to Europe is necessary. This is valid for both the completed educational levels of children and young people, and for the professional diplomas of the adults, Kuneva said at the meeting.

The sides discussed the challenges facing EU Member States, particularly those on the frontline in respect to migrants. According to Kuneva, the integration of migrants remaining in Bulgaria and Greece should begin at pre-school age because the languages of both countries are difficult and knowledge of language is key to social inclusion for refugees. There are funds for educational immigration under Axis 3 of Operational Programme Science and Education for Intelligent Growth, she added.

Kuneva and Filis also discussed the opportunity for reciprocal use of research infrastructure by the scientists in both countries, particularly in the border regions. Joint efforts will mean saved funds from construction and more money invested in modern equipment and higher salaries for researchers, Kuneva said.

The Greek Parliament is currently debating a bill concerning research centres which will provide for cooperation with foreign institutes, Filis explained.

Kuneva also raised the issue of the incomplete procedure on the acknowledgement of Varna Free University by the Greek side. Stating that this is a completely legitimate university within the Bulgarian system of higher education, she said she expects the matter to be resolved as soon as possible.