Protecting EU’s External Border Boosts Bulgaria’s Chances of Joining Schengen - Minister

The need for enhanced protection of the EU’s external borders increases Bulgaria’s chances of joining the Schengen Agreement, according to Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov.

Speaking after a summit of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Mitov made clear that Bulgaria would most probably seek EU aid to cope with the influx of refugees and migrants.

“We believe that we should start preparing to seek such aid. Bulgaria is one of the countries with the highest numbers of asylum applications and at the same time we have been placed at quite a low spot on the list of countries receiving assistance from the EU fund which grants aid in line with the principle of solidarity. We shall insist on the importance of achieving a fair balance,” Mitov declared, as cited by the Bulgarian National Radio.

As regards the discussion on the EU sanctions against Russia, Mitov explained that Bulgaria’s stance coincided with that of the EU, namely that there was no reason to revoke or alleviate sanctions against Russia at the current stage.

The agenda of Monday’s summit of EU foreign ministers also included talks on counterterrorism measures.

The participants in the meeting agreed to boost cooperation with the Middle East and Northern Africa which were also suffering from terrorism.

The EU foreign ministers made clear that they would seek to establish a broad counterterrorism alliance.

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