site.bta Deputy PM Kuneva Hopeful Bulgaria Will Join Schengen by Year's End

Deputy PM Kuneva Hopeful Bulgaria Will Join Schengen by Year's End

Bourgas, on the Black Sea, May 12 (BTA) - It is very likely that
 Bulgaria will join Schengen by the year's end by opening of the
 sea and air borders at Bourgas, said Deputy Prime Minister
Meglena Kuneva. On Tuesday she inspected the technical
preparedness of the port and airport in Bourgas for entry into
Schengen. Kuneva and Regional Governor Vulcho Cholakov will
oversee the equipment and staffing of border crossings at the
two blue borders.

Kuneva told journalists at Bourgas' Marine Station  that when
she started her Schengen campaign seven countries were against
Bulgaria's membership of Schengen, whereas now there are two
left. Kuneva would not say which they were but said they
conditioned Bulgaria's entry to Schengen on EC's Cooperation and
 Verification Mechanism.

Kuneva added that as a non-member of Schengen Bulgaria is not
allowed access to important tracking systems which is a setback
to the whole Europe.

"Bulgaria has been a candidate for Schengen for ten years and is
 prepared," said Kuneva, adding that considerable investments
have been made in personnel and border equipment. She said that
such a long application process is unprecedented and is unfair.

Kuneva familarized herself with various mobile systems used to
assist border security. These include a document processing
system and detection systems for contraband goods and illegal
migrants.