site.btaPM Denkov: Member States Closing Internal EU Borders Would Not Solve Problem with Migrants

Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov told a press conference in Euxinograd on Monday that if EU Member States continue to follow the principle of "every man for himself" and close EU internal borders, that would in no way solve the EU-wide problem of too many migrants trying to enter the Union. The Prime Minister was Euxinograd to host a trilateral meeting with his Greek and Romanian counterparts, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Marcel Ciolacu.

Denkov said that his government's efforts are entirely focused on getting a positive answer for Schengen in December 2023. "There is no 'plan B', until we exhaust all possibilities," he added and specified that Bulgaria's chosen approach is to emphasize the benefit from Bulgaria and Romania's accession for the Union.

Denkov said that if Bulgaria and Romania fail to guard their borders, the problem just gets transferred to a different Member State, which is not a long-term solution. The Prime Minister is adamant that both Austria and the Netherland, which so far have opposed the expansion of Schengen, would benefit from having Bulgaria and Romania join the area.

Denkov reported that if there is no positive development on the matter by December, he and Ciolacu will meet to discuss their next steps.

The forum was also attended by the European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean and the Moldovan Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov.

The forum agenda also included regional transport and energy connectivity.

Denkov pointed out the need to establish pathways for transporting grain from Ukraine to the Mediterranean to Africa as a relatively short-term task.

On the topic of security, he said that every country should fully build up its defence forces. "Bulgaria has gathered momentum and is completing what has been delayed over the years, so that we have full-fledged defence capabilities," the Prime Minister said.

Denkov said that there are still countries in the region dependent on Russian gas that need to be aided. Denkov pointed to Moldova as an example and stressed the need for better energy connectivity.