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The Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev talked about the country’s relations with the European Union and the migration situation in one of the latest editions of The Global Conversation. He stated that Bulgaria has joined NATO some 12 years ago, after which it joined the European Union and was hoping to join the travel-free Schengen area ever since.

The Bulgarian President stated that he is standing firmly against the building of walls between the member states of Europe. After all, the Schengen agreement has been a dream come true for more than 500 million Europeans who believe in the free travel without borders. He further stated that the European integration is a process for the country members to modernize, to restore the laws and to create institutions that serve people. Plevneliev also stated that he wants to see Bulgaria a proud member of the European Union, prosperous, safe and secure.

Bulgaria and Romania have met all the requirements for becoming members of the passport-free travel Schengen area. However, the entry is not happening. The European Commission Deputy Chief Spokesperson Mina Andreeva confirmed the two countries’ readiness to become full-fledged members of the Schengen zone in front of the European Commission, but in order for this to happen Romania and Bulgaria are in need of a unanimous decision by all EU member states.

Several months ago some of the European leaders stated that the Schengen zone is under a threat from the migration and many countries decided to introduce temporary border controls. Bulgarian and Romania authorities stated that they are not happy but added that Schengen admission is not a priority for them today due to the same migration crisis.

Currently 22 out of 27 European Union countries are member states of the Schengen area. Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria are on their way to join the Schengen zone.

Bulgaria is fulfiling its commitments towards Europe by protecting successfully the Schengen borders in time of migration crisis. That was stated by Boiko Borrisov, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria at the end of the training Frontiers 2016. The training showed the good cooperation between the Bulgarian Army and the Ministry of Interior. The Prime Minister further stated that Bulgaria has answered all its commitments that concern the protection of the Schengen borders.

The training’ main aim was to show the reaction towards real time situations and the coordinated efforts of the national police, the army, the border police, etc. According to the Chief of Defence Lieutenant General Constantin Popov, the interaction between the Ministry of Interiorand the colleagues is excellent. The joint operations of military personnel, policemen, and the Bulgarian Red Cross were in line with the scenario prepared in advance. Onsite to observe the training showing Bulgaria’s readiness to enter the Schengen Area were the Deputy Minister of Defence, the Minister of Transport, Information Technologies and Communications, the Chief Commissioner, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior and many representatives of local authorities.

Bulgaria has expressed its will for an equal access to the Entry-Exit System of the European Union for all member states. The country’s desire was presented by the Interior Minister of Bulgaria Rumyana Bachvarova, aiming to boost the efficiency of the fight against the organized crime and terrorism. The establishment of the Entry-Exit System has been proposed by the European Commission, aiming to make border checks of the non-EU nationals to become stronger and faster, while the external border management and the internal security to become easier.

Bulgaria, not being a member of the Schengen area, is not in the position to use the full potential of those key visa information systems with a communication infrastructure, central IT system, and links to the national systems of the member countries. Even though, the country provides security along one of the most vulnerable and important borders of the European Union having in mind the crisis with the migrants. The European Council has adopted a new directive that uses the passenger name record collecting data for the prevention of terrorist attacks.

Bulgaria, along with its neighboring country Romania, is among the recent additions to the European Union. The two countries do qualify for joining the Schengen Zone, yet for this to become a fact an unanimous decision of the member states of the European Union is required. The two countries’ request to obtain access to the Schengen zone but have been facing vetoes for years based on the internal instability and the various changes going on.

The Schengen area is that part of Europe where citizens from 22 European countries can travel without the need of visa and passport, as well as no border control. The countries that are currently outsiders include Bulgaria and Romania, Cyprus and Croatia, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The total population of the Schengen Area is more than 4000 million people. According to the president of France Schengen Area has to change and be improved.

After a joint briefing between the presidents of Bulgaria and Poland, it became clear that the Polish present Andrzej Duda is supporting the accession of Bulgaria to the passport free travel zone. The relations between the two countries could be traced back in time and today are an excellent example of partnership and friendship. Bulgaria and Poland are sharing similar position regarding the agenda in front of Europe.

According to the president of Bulgaria, Poland is making an excellent progress and the country is already being a great example of successful transformation on economic and political level. Poland has established itself as a leader of the other countries in Eastern and Central Europe that have joined the European Union like Bulgaria. President Plevneliev further stated that Bulgaria, along with Poland, is backing up the European Union connectivity between the member states aiming an establishment of energy and transport infrastructure.

In the end of January the Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev gave an interview for the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. In the interview, the Bulgarian president stated that the European continent has already faced enough xenophobia and lack of tolerance that caused many wars and a lot of destruction. He said that today, in 21st century we need better and new ideas and that is why in his interview he called on all his colleagues in Europe not to leave behind the vision of Europe with no internal borders.

The Bulgarian President stated that the Schengen zone has made all Europeans’ dream of free traveling in Europe with no barriers. He pointed out that when times are difficult people should follow their dreams and not be guided by their fears. He also stated that the European Union was established in the name of peace preservation. Now that pace can be guaranteed only when the European nations cooperate and integrate with one another.

Rosen Plevneliev stated that once Bulgaria became a member of the European Union, it stepped on the right track and made a huge progress. Today the country plays an important role and is handling the refugee crises properly with no contradiction between the protection of EU external borders and the human rights respect.

Following a meeting with the Bulgarian Prime Minister, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that if Europe wants to be correct with Bulgaria, it has to offer the country a Schengen membership. He further stated that it is not right that the results of Bulgaria concerning the refugee crises are not acknowledged. After all, Bulgaria is a non-Schengen country that has shown the best results.

The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that all countries that are along the routes of the migrants are under stress. He also said that Bulgarian authorities are handling that stress in the best possible manner and that is why the country should be offered a Schengen membership will full rights. He also stated however that the country should carefully consider whether or not she wants to join the Schengen agreement zone, which in his words is dying.

During the ditional reception for heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Bulgaria, at the end of January the Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev stated that Bulgaria has been a factor if stability in the region during the past year. The event has organized at the National Museum of History, where the President Plevneliev delivered his speech. According to him the year 2015 was difficult, the countries were unstable and the events could not be predicted.

He stated that despite all the challenges, Bulgaria has been acting as a factor of stability in the entire region, playing a responsible role as a pro-European force on the Balkans and further, as a responsible EU and NATO country. The year was also active concerning the Bulgarian foreign policy. And even if the people respect the refugees, they do protect the borders of the country and of the Schengen zone as well. That is why according to the president of the country, Bulgaria has been a source .not of problems but of solutions.

The ambitions of Bulgaria are associated with launching a new wave of European integration projects including euro zone membership and Schengen zone full-rights membership. The Bulgarian president further stated that the European Union is a platform for countries to develop and that Europeans need a good debate on achieving peace and pointed out that Bulgaria is an important factor for that on the Balkans.

He stated that the country’s international prestige is recognized by the fact that the country is taking over the chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and that Bulgaria will be hosting the Arraiolos meeting in 2016.

In the beginning of the year the Bavarian Minister of the Interior for Building and Transport Joachim Herrmann stated during a press conference that in the frames of the Security Priority Area of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, there is no intention of turning Bulgaria and Macedonia into “waiting room for refugees”.

The Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister for Coalition Policy and Public Administration and Minister of Interior, Rumyana Bachvarova, took part in this event dedicated to counteracting international terrorism. She remarked that Bulgaria protected its border in line and in accordance with all Schengen standards. She also stated that the country has the technical readiness to join the Schengen Area ever since 2012.

She further said that Bulgarians understands the situation in Europe and that meeting our obligations is more important than insisting on additional rights our citizens. The question with the Schengen membership remains open for the country.