site.btaDeputy PM Thanks Spanish Presidency of EU Council for Excellent Cooperation on Bulgaria's Schengen Accession

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel thanked the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU for the excellent cooperation on Bulgaria's Schengen accession and welcomed the six main priorities of Belgium's EU Presidency, which starts on Monday. 

"I thank the Spanish Presidency for the excellent cooperation over the past six months and for achieving an important national priority goal for Bulgaria - the accession of this country to the Schengen area," she wrote on Facebook.

Gabriel noted that the Belgian Presidency's motto is "Protect, Strengthen, Prepare" and welcomed its main priorities: defending the rule of law and democracy; strengthening competitiveness; pursuing a green and just transition; reinforcing the social and health agenda; protecting people and borders; and promoting a global Europe. "I look forward to working together and wish you a successful presidency," the Foreign Minister's post further reads.

The Council of the EU confirmed late on December 30 that Bulgaria and Romania will join the Schengen area, starting with air and sea borders.