site.btaDeputy PM Kuneva: Netherlands Understands Schengen Significance for European Security

Deputy PM Kuneva: Netherlands Understands Schengen Significance for  European Security

Sofia, July 13 (BTA) - The Netherlands are aware how important
Schengen is for the general security of Europe. The presence of
Bulgaria and Romania will contribute to that and the arguments
in favour of the two countries are very strong in this
direction, Deputy Prime Minister for Policies Coordination and
Institutional Affairs Meglena Kuneva said Monday, the Council of
 Ministers information service said. Kuneva and Justice Minister
 Hristo Ivanov are paying  a one-day working visit to the
Netherlands. Kuneva and Ivanov conferred with Netherlands
Security and Justice Minister Ard van der Steur and with State
Secretary of Security and Justice and Minister for Migration
Klaas Dijkhoff.
   
We are technically ready for Schengen and there are enough
arguments for strong confidence in Bulgaria. I did not skip over
 the fact that in respect to the migration, the common energy
policy and the common foreign policy, confidence in Bulgaria
should be strong, Kuneva said, saying that she is sure this
position will be heard.

Kuneva and the Justice Minister considered it a good sign that
the Netherlands is considering the problem, particularly in
respect to border security.
   
The sides also discussed cooperation between the two countries
in respect to fighting human trafficking, particularly in the
field of exploitation. This will be one of the priorities of the
 Dutch Presidency  of the EU council beginning in January. The
subject of establishing a EU prosecution was also discussed.
   
Kuneva and Ivanov also conferred with Foreign Minister Albert
Koenders. Besides commenting that it is important for the two
triple presidencies to work together to achieve continuity, the
sides also discussed the priorities of the Bulgarian and the
Dutch presidencies.
  
The course of the Greek crisis was also discussed, with Kuneva
saying that today's news are good and that it is to Bulgaria's
interest to have a stable and prosperous neighbor in the face of
 Greece.