site.btaVP Iotova Says PM Denkov Should Have Reacted Strongly to Dutch PM's Comments on Bulgaria's Schengen Accession

It is worrying that Bulgaria's Schengen membership was postponed indefinitely, Vice President Iliana Iotova told journalists here on Friday.

"If I had been in Prime Minister Denkov's place yesterday [Thursday] I would have reacted very strongly to the words of Dutch Prime Minister Rutte. I do not know what report he [Rutte] wants from the European Commission, since the Commission's opinion that Bulgaria and Romania have met the membership criteria is almost 10 years old, if not more," Iotova said.

Bulgaria should not constantly be in the position of a begging country, she stressed. "All institutions must be united on this topic, we must stand up for ourselves because we are in our right and because the Commission and institutions must not allow double standards. I have long believed and continue to believe that Bulgaria and Romania are being unfairly held to these double standards for our Schengen accession. I would like the Bulgarian authorities, those who represent us in the Council, to have more self-confidence and to defend their positions more firmly, as President Radev did when he went to these Councils," the Vice President stressed.

Regarding domestic political issues, she noted that first it is necessary to clarify who is the Prime Minister at the moment, as she argued that [GERB leader Boyko] Borissov and [Movement for Rights and Freedoms co-floor leader Delyan] Peevski, who support this government, set the tone.

Iotova pointed out that amidst the “difficult domestic and international situation” all Bulgarian citizens need stability, predictability and security, and “we get none of the three”.

"Especially in the wake of winter, we need energy security. I meet with a lot of people - no one can tell you right now exactly what the Bulgarian position is on either the transmission fees that the government has asked for per megawatt hour, or what the situation is with Lukoil, and these are things that concern every one of us,” the Vice President stated. She argued that the ruling majority is putting Bulgaria on the verge of a new crisis. "I would advise Mr Vassilev [Finance Minister Assen Vassilev] to give another interview to the Financial Times and to say to whom he wants to sell Lukoil, obviously we learn the news from there," she added.

Iotova arrived in Mezdra at the invitation of the management of the Vasil Levski Vocational High School to give a lesson on patriotism, on the eve of the Day of the National Enlighteners.