site.btaPM Donev Discusses Transport Connectivity, Schengen Accession with Romanian Counterpart

The transport connectivity between Bulgaria and Romania was in the focus of a meeting between caretaker Prime Minister Galab Donev and his Romanian counterpart Nicolae Ciuca, the Government Information Service reported. In a video conference call, they discussed the cooperation of the two countries in the implementation of the "Technical Assistance for Revising and Complementing the Feasibility Study Regarding the Improvement of Navigation Conditions on the Romanian-Bulgarian Common Sector of the Danube" (FAST Danube) project. 

Donev reaffirmed Bulgaria's commitment to the successful completion of the project and highlighted its importance for the bilateral cooperation and for the whole region. He also said that Bulgaria and Romania should work actively on the construction of a third bridge over the Danube River at Ruse - Giurgiu.

The two Prime Ministers also discussed Bulgaria and Romania's accession to Schengen: "The full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen area in 2023 should be our common goal," Donev said. "It is in our common interest to join forces in our efforts to try and guarantee the support of all the member countries," he added. He expressed confidence that the cooperation between the two countries on the issue will continue in the coming weeks and months, stressing on the importance of their consistent and synchronized actions.

Donev and Ciuca agreed that if Bulgaria and Romania become full members, the Schengen area will function better as this will ensure stronger economic cooperation and better protection of its external borders - something that will be in the interest of the whole European Union.

"We should focus on how we can manage EU's external borders more effectively instead of focusing on the rebuilding of the internal ones, which undermines Schengen," Donev added.