site.btaUPDATED PM in Brussels: Migration, Support for Ukraine, Situation in Middle East - Crucially Important Issues Impacting Life in Bulgaria

Migration, support for Ukraine, and the situation in the Middle East were among the issues Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov commented on upon his arrival in Brussels on Thursday to take part in a two-day European Council meeting. "These are all issues that are extremely important for Bulgaria, they have an impact on life," he told journalists on Thursday.

On the topic of migration, Denkov expressed hope that the EU recognizes the importance of shifting attention to the protection of EU's external borders and working with foreign countries to return illegal migrants. According to him, European heads of state and government should take into account that Bulgaria and Romania would be much more effective as members of Schengen in achieving this EU-wide objective.

The prime minister noted that Bulgaria is counting on the changes in Bulgarian legislation to convince the Netherlands to provide support for Schengen enlargement. In his view, there has been very substantial progress on border protection. "Diplomacy must do its job," Denkov insisted.

In response to a question he said he is working well with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel. Denkov assessed positively their joint efforts in power.

According to him, Bulgaria's current government cannot be expected to collapse if the country is not accepted into Schengen by the end of 2023. Bulgaria is making visible progress and "whether the country will be allowed in Schengen is no longer up to us," Denkov said. The Bulgarian people need these changes, they want a better justice system, and a better-secured border, he added.

On the issue of President Rumen Radev's decision to refer to the Constitutional Court the new fee imposed on the import and transit of Russian gas to and via Bulgaria, Denkov said he would allow himself to be more blunt and ask whose interests such a move protects. He expressed his belief that Radev does not protect Bulgarian interests but rather foreign ones, suggesting Russia, Hungary, or Serbia. Denkov added that the European Commission has all the information and nobody has yet claimed the fee was not legitimate.

On the events in the Middle East Denkov said that a terrorist attack had been committed and it should be condemned in every way. "The people responsible for this attack must be punished accordingly. There are international rules, and people's rights must be respected. Any party to the conflict that cares about international order and the rights of people must try to respect them as much as possible. Israel has the right to defend itself, to destroy the enemies who caused this, but to do everything possible to keep innocent people safe, as we want the Palestinians to keep innocent people safe in Israel," the Prime Minister said.