site.bta Bulgaria, Italy to Step up Cooperation in Dealing with Migration Pressure

Bulgaria, Italy to Step up Cooperation in Dealing with Migration Pressure

Sofia, May 22 (BTA) - Prime Ministers Boyko Borissov of Bulgaria
and Mateo Renzi of Italy agreed to step up cooperation in
dealing with the migration pressure. The two government leaders
met in Riga during the Eastern Partnership Summit, said the
press office of the Bulgarian government Friday. They picked
this time to meet because Mateo Renzi will not be available to
confer with Borissov during his May 23-24 visit to Rome.

Both the Mediterranean and the Bulgarian southeastern border are
put to increased migration pressure and joint efforts is the
only way to handle the surging waves of migrants and crack down
on people smugglers, the two Prime Ministers agreed.

They also discussed two-way trade and the fine cooperation
between the special services of the two countries and the police
services in fighting organized crime.

The Italian Prime Minister accepted an invitation by his
Bulgarian counterpart to visit Sofia. The visit is likely to
take place right after the Bulgarian visit of the EU High
Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica
Mogherini.