site.btaPrime Minister Denkov Holds Bilateral Meetings in Granada

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov on Friday held a series of bilateral meetings in Granada where he is participating in a two-day meeting of EU leaders. He told BTA that earlier in the day he talked with French President Emmanuel Macron in connection with nuclear energy. Denkov recalled that Bulgarian expects French nuclear fuel for Unit 6 of Kozloduy N-plant and also France to join preparations for Units 7 and 8 at Kozloduy.

According to Denkov, the EU leaders discussed again migration and the protection of the European borders. He pointed out that there was unanimity on the importance of protecting external borders and the need to work with the countries where migrants come from. The cooperation with Turkiye helps a lot in terms of the border with Bulgaria and Greece, he explained. 

In his words, the talks focused on the protection of borders from illegal migrants and the ways to support legal migration. Some countries in Europe, such as Germany, have a great need for specialists and are expecting migration, the prime minister noted. About half of the migrants this year come legally, the problem is with the rest. “We need to distinguish between legal and illegal migration, those who are looking for welfare and do not want to integrate in Europe,” he added.

Denkov said that no breakthrough is expected immediately after his upcoming meeting with the chancellor of Austria in connection with Bulgaria's accession to Schengen. The meeting is part of the government’s efforts to convince other Austrian politicians on whom this decision depends. He specified that there will be meetings in Vienna with the groups in the Austrian parliament.

The Prime Minister said that he had talked about Bulgaria's arguments for joining Schengen with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and French President Emmanuel Macron. 

Of EU enlargement and related disputes, he pointed out that Bulgaria currently has reservations only towards North Macedonia because of the expectations to fulfill the commitments adopted last year. “Regarding the other countries, we have a rather positive opinion because it is clear that these countries have a future in the EU,” Denkov said. 

Of an upcoming meeting between Bulgarian, Romania and Greece  in Varna next week, he said that the main objective is to proceed with the practical implementation of the south-north corridors from Greece through Bulgaria and Romania to Moldova and Ukraine. ”We are talking about oil products, highways, railways, digital connectivity,” he said.

Minister Tagarev is currently doing a great job as military minister, Denkov said in response to a journalist's question. “Sometimes Tagarev is a bit harsh in his language, but this is not a reason for resignations,” the Prime Minister added.