site.btaForeign Minister: Bulgaria Has Proven It Is Serious, Reliable Partner Implementing All Responsibilities of Schengen Member

125 POLITICS - FOREIGN MINISTER - EU COUNCIL PRESIDENCY - Ampl

Foreign Minister: Bulgaria Has Proven
It Is Serious, Reliable Partner Implementing
All Responsibilities of Schengen Member


Sofia, July 1 (BTA) - Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov Wednesday
presented Bulgaria's priority topics in relation to the
beginning of Luxembourg's EU Council Presidency. He said that
the key priority will be his country's and Romania's entry in
the Schengen area, and Bulgaria will work actively with its EU
partners so that such a decision can be taken.

The Foreign Minister was speaking at a public discussion
organized by PanEuropa Bulgaria, "The EU during the Luxembourg
Presidency: Where Bulgaria Stands". Also participating in the
event was Ambassador of Luxembourg to Bulgaria Jean Faltz
(headquartered in Luxembourg), who outlined the priorities of
his country's EU Council Presidency.

"We are convinced that we have proven our commitment and
efficiency within the EU, and we think that our integration
should continue with our entry in the Schengen, because we have
proven more than once that we are technically ready," Mitov
said. "In the context of an increased migration pressure on the
Union, our country has proven that it is a serious and reliable
partner which is implementing all the responsibilities of a
Schengen member," he added.

"Now more than ever, the enlargement of the Schengen area would
strengthen our borders and would send a strong political signal
for the EU's unity in the fight against illegal migration and
terrorism," Mitov said.

The Foreign Minister welcomed the intention of the Luxembourg
Presidency to regard the migration issue as one of its key
priorities. Bulgaria would support all measures aimed at
distributing responsibilities equally and fairly, he said and
added that as an external border of the EU, Bulgaria is among
the countries most affected by the strong pressure of mixed
migration flows. "For us it is important to maintain within the
EU's efforts the geographic balance and permanent focus both on
the marine and external land borders of the EU in one of the
permanently affected routes - the Eastern Mediterranean route,"
Mitov noted.

Bulgaria shares the opinion that it is particularly important to
take measures against the real reasons for the migration flows
from Middle East countries, and it is necessary to pay
significant attention to the efficient implementation of the
readmission agreements with key third countries, Mitov said. He
added that the dynamics of the migration processes leads to an
increasing need to reconsider the provisions of the Dublin
Regulation. "In relation to our insistence on an effective
application of the solidarity principle, we would support the
introduction of rules that lead to smaller concentration of
burden on the countries at the front line along the EU's
border," he also said.

LI/DS