site.btaGovernment Approves Protocol Amending 2009 Agreement with Romania on Cross-Border Police Cooperation in Criminal Matters

At its regular meeting on Wednesday, the Council of Ministers adopted a decision approving a draft protocol that amends the 2009 Agreement between the governments of Bulgaria and Romania on cross-border police cooperation in criminal matters. The protocol will serve as the basis for negotiations between the two countries.

The 2009 bilateral agreement, signed in Vidin, was based on the provisions of the Schengen Convention and regulates various forms of cross-border police cooperation.

The key amendments introduced by the draft protocol include: updating the competent authorities (Article 2); expanding the grounds for cross-border hot pursuit (Article 8); optimizing the activities of the joint working group (Article 25). Other amendments are of a legal-technical nature or concern the entry into force, amendment, and termination of the 2009 agreement.

The protocol will be signed if ratified by the National Assembly of Bulgaria.