site.btaDeputy Prime Minister Gabriel: European Commission Reconfirms Categorical Support for Bulgaria’s Schengen Membership

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel conferred with European Commission (EC) Vice President Vera Jourova on Friday, the Foreign Ministry said. Jourova is visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister Gabriel for the first annual meeting of the Balkan Constitutional Forum. 

Gabriel’s talks with EC officials were once again dominated by Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area. “I thank the European Commission for the strong and consistent support for Bulgaria’s Schengen membership. The message is clear and unequivocal – Bulgaria must be part of Schengen.” 

Gabriel recalled that in September 2023 the Commission decided to terminate the Cooperation and Veirfication Mechanism for Bulgaria. “The government continues its active work to implement the recommendations in the 2023 rule of law annual report. I thank the European Commission for the termination of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism. This is acknowledgment of the efforts of the government and the sustainability of the implemented reforms.” 

The Deputy Prime Minister said that a key priority for the government is to continue the judicial reform and constitutional changes are crucial. Gabriel said that the draft amendments have been consulted with the Venice Commission and its opinion will be taken into consideration.