Brussels Acknowledges Bulgaria For Setting Standards in Schengen Border Protection

At the end of the EU-Turkey summit in Brussels, the Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov stated that the politicians in Brussels are acknowledging Bulgaria as setting the standards for the protection of the Schengen border. He further stated that the negotiations were very difficult and time-consuming, but at the end the EU member states and Turkey reached a compromise that is considered the best option for the moment.

Bulgaria has required financial assistance, as the country is making serious efforts in demonstrating how the Schengen border should be protected. The politicians have stated that Bulgaria sets the standards for the protection of the Schengen border, as the Bulgarian Prime Minister remarked. At the same time the authorities in Bulgaria have warned that the country would block the EU-Turkey agreement unless its interests are taken into account.

The Prime Minister of Bulgaria has sent a letter to the European Council President stating that Sofia would block the agreement unless the protection of the Bulgarian borders, as well as those of Greece, was guaranteed. The negotiations with Turkey should cover the land and marine borders of Bulgaria with Turkey. Bulgaria is currently not a member of the Schengen area.