site.btaUPDATED Schengen Is Great Victory for Bulgaria, Outgoing PM Denkov Says

Schengen is a great victory for Bulgaria, it would not have happened without the joint efforts of the ministers in the government, outgoing Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov told reporters following his participation in an official ceremony which marked Bulgaria's entry into the Schengen area by air and sea on March 31. The event took place at Sofia Airport's Terminal 2 on Sunday.

Denkov said that certain ministers can take large credit for Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area, but added he will not separate anyone, as teamwork was very important. In his words, the parliament also played a big role. Answering a question on when the Schengen land borders would be lifted for Bulgaria, Denkov noted that a suitable political moment was being sought. Such a moment could come after the elections in Austria or the European Parliament elections. According to Denkov, Bulgaria's accession to Schengen by land depends on how the political situation develops in Bulgaria and secondly, it is important that far-right anti-European parties do not prevail in Europe or in Austria.

The outgoing PM said that Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen is a historic moment. After Bulgaria's accession to the EU in 2007, this is the greatest success of Bulgarian diplomacy, Bulgarian institutions and Bulgarian politicians, Denkov emphasized. "We have managed to unite and bring back trust in Bulgaria at the highest level," he believes.

Denkov thanked all the people and institutions that have worked to restore confidence in Bulgaria. He voiced hope that every next Bulgarian government would work to strengthen this trust.

On Sunday, Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen by air and sea was marked with a symbolic opening of the border. The ceremony at Sofia Airport’s Terminal 2 was also attended by outgoing Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel, Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov, Transport and Communications Minister Georgi Gvozdeikov, Yordanka Chobanova - Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria, and Belgian Ambassador to Bulgaria Frederic Meurice.

During the ceremony, an incoming flight from Berlin was welcomed, with some 200 passengers entering Bulgaria without passport control.