site.btaForeign Minister: Bulgaria Participates Actively in EU's Migration Policy

Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel met with International Centre for Migration Policy Development Director General Michael Spindelegger, her Ministry said on Thursday. Spindelegger served as Austrian Finance Minister (2013-2014), Minister for European and International Affairs (2008-2013) and Vice Chancellor (2011-2014).

"The challenges of migration are common across Europe. Joint and coordinated action is needed to adequately respond to them", Gabriel pointed out.

She presented Bulgaria's active participation in the EU migration policy, highlighting the improvement of the quality of border controls, the sharing of the migration burden among EU member states and ensuring humane treatment of migrants and refugees in line with international human rights standards.

"We are making systematic efforts to protect better EU's external borders in close cooperation with all neighbouring countries and EU agencies," Gabriel stated and underlined the good bilateral cooperation with Austria on the joint action plan to fight illegal migration.

"Bulgaria shows pragmatism, flexibility and readiness for a constructive dialogue with Austria in order to achieve a better functioning Schengen area. I highly appreciate the cooperation with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development and I believe that together we can contribute to Bulgaria's accession to Schengen", she added.