site.btaInterior Minister Meets with Counterparts from Austria, Belgium, Romania and Hungary in Brussels

Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov on Monday held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Austria, Belgium, Romania and Hungary on the sidelines of a Justice and Home Affairs Council in Brussels. 

Stoyanov briefed his Austrian counterpart Gerhard Karner on steps taken by Bulgaria, which have led to a significant decrease in migration pressure, including strengthening the capacity of the border police, both with staff and equipment, and maintaining an operational dialogue with the Turkish side. The two ministers reaffirmed their willingness to continue a constructive and result-oriented dialogue. 

During his meeting with Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden, whose country chairs the Presidency of the Council of the EU, topical issues related to the migration situation were discussed. Minister Stoyanov thanked the Belgian EU presidency for improving the functioning of Schengen, and was reassured of the presidency's support for finalizing Bulgaria's integration into the Schengen area. 

During talks with Romania's Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu, the sides reaffirmed their common goal - to work in close coordination for the removal of controls at the Schengen land borders as well. The two countries will step up cooperation in the fight against organized crime. 

Bulgaria’s efforts in the field of home affairs were also highly praised in the talks between Minister Kalin Stoyanov and Hungary’s Minister of Interior Sándor Pinter. They discussed the measures taken by both countries to curb illegal migration and to counter migrant trafficking. Minister Pinter confirmed that the finalization of the integration of Bulgaria and Romania into Schengen is a priority for the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in July this year.