site.btaBulgarian Interior Minister Stoyanov Meets with Romanian Counterpart Predoiu

Caretaker Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov said in a Facebook post on Thursday that he was pleased to welcome Romania's Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, Marian-Catalin Predoiu to the Bulgarian Interior Ministry.

Predoiu is on a working visit to Bulgaria. During the visit, Stoyanov and Predoiu are expected to sign a bilateral protocol to amend an agreement between the governments of Bulgaria and Romania. The document concerns cross-border police cooperation in criminal proceedings.

"Our successful bilateral cooperation makes us strong partners in the region and in the European Union. Together and with the support of the European Commission, we have achieved a huge step for both countries - the abolition of sea and air border controls," Stoyanov added.

Stoyanov added that he and Predoiu share the firm position that Bulgaria and Romania should become Schengen members by land by the end of 2024. Bulgaria and Romania will continue to contribute to the security of the European Union, he also wrote.