site.btaBulgarian Parliament Speaker Calls for Urgent Measures to Strengthen Schengen Idea

Bulgarian Parliament Speaker Calls for Urgent Measures to Strengthen Schengen Idea

Rome, April 21 (BTA) - Addressing a conference of EU Parliament
Speakers, National Assembly Chair Tsetska Tsacheva called for
urgent measures to strengthen the Schengen idea.

The conference is taking place in Rome on April 20 and 21.

Tsacheva said that now more than ever the enlargement of
Schengen would strengthen borders and send a strong message for
EU's unity in the fight against terrorism.

Tsacheva reiterated that as an EU external border Bulgaria is
among the worst affected countries by migration flows. Voicing
concern on behalf of Bulgaria that migration pressure along the
East Mediterranean and the Black Sea routes is expected to
increase, she called for an adequate response to enhance
solidarity and EU support for the region.

Tsacheva was adamant that in the conditions on an unprecedented
migration pressures Bulgaria has proved itself a serious and
reliable partner, with a conduct of a Schengen member and has
thus been contributing daily to EU's security.

A proposal by Tsacheva was included in the Conference's
conclusive declaration.

The document says that for the sake of maintaining its
pre-eminent position as protector of fundamental rights and
human dignity, the EU needs to take concrete and immediate
action to deal more effectively with the tragedies at sea,
caused by the increase of migration flows from the southern
shores of the Mediterranean.

According to Tsacheva's proposal, along with that the EU should
keep a constant focus on its external land borders along
traditional migratory routes. With regards
to a commitment to increase funding and resources of Frontex,
Bulgaria's proposal calls for enhancing dialogue and cooperation
with the countries of transit, seeking solutions to the causes
of migration in the countries of origin, and giving full effect
to the principle of active solidarity with those countries most
exposed to the inflow of migrants.