site.btaPresident Radev Confers with EU Ambassadors to Bulgaria

Sofia, November 27 (BTA) - President Rumen Radev conferred here at his office on Wednesday with the ambassadors of the EU Member States, Switzerland and Norway to Bulgaria, Radev's Press Secretariat reported. The ambassadors asked questions about the rule of law in Bulgaria, the effect of the European Commission's Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) on the Bulgarian justice system, the reasons for the demographic crisis in Bulgaria, the country's participation in the debate on Europe's future, the increased migration pressure at the EU's external borders, and European and regional security.

During the meeting, Radev said that upholding the rule of law should become an inseparable part of the institutional culture in Bulgaria. He also said he will initiate a broad public debate on revisions to the Constitution so as to meet the citizens' expectations for much greater transparency in the work of Bulgarian justice. He will also initiative a debate on the prosecuting magistracy's role, accountability and place in the Judiciary.

Taking a question, Radev said that Bulgarian citizens should realize their power and responsibility to require much better quality in the country's governance, as well as transparency and efficiency in public spending. They should exercise control over institutions, he added.

Overcoming the negative demographic trends in Bulgaria requires an effective fight against high-level corruption, an increase of citizens' security, and good quality changes in healthcare and education, the head of State argued.

Radev described as a common European challenge the upward trend in the number of migrants in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans. He called for a common European approach to this matter, financial assistance for the countries along the EU's external borders, and readiness for timely support from the Frontex teams.

In Radev's words, it is in the interest of both the EU and the regional security and stability to offer unwavering support for the EU perspective of the Western Balkan countries. Bulgaria expects the future enlargement of the EU to be based on real implementation of the membership criteria, as well as on a decisive progress in the building of goodneighbourly relations in the Balkans, the President said.

The participants in the meeting also discussed the NATO Summit in London this December.