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Bulgaria and Croatia have coordinated their positions on several important aspects on a meeting between the Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov and his Croatian Colleague Dr. Miro Kovac. The two discussed the migration crises that Europe is facing, the European integration of the Western Balkans and the possible membership in the Schengen zone. The representatives of the two countries agreed that Bulgaria and Croatia need to proceed with the reforms and with the overall European integration. The first diplomat of Bulgaria stated that the two countries should confirm their similar positions on various common issues and then relate to each other and follow a successful model for accession in the EU.

The top diplomats further discussed the common objectives of the two countries aiming to join the Schengen zone and the euro area, confirming their mutual support along this process. Minister Mitov further stated that Bulgaria supported the adoption of one common European solution, and at the same time was effectively protecting the external border of the Union. During the meeting it became clear that Croatia and Bulgaria will work on the expansion of the cultural, economic and educational connections between the two countries. Croatia and Bulgaria will also support the enlargement process of the European Union.

The European Commission received a proposal by six of the European Union member states for temporary proposal of the internal borders of the Schengen zone, aiming to monitor the migration flow in a better and more efficient way. The six countries (Austria and Belgium, France and Denmark, Germany and Sweden) called on the Commission to make a proposal to the European Council to introduce controls at the internal borders of Schengen as of mid-May for a period of six months.

These border checks are only temporary, unless a moment comes when the European Commission finds the free-travel area of EU being at a risk, due to the country’s failure to protect the external borders of the area. The number of the migrants that are reaching western and central Europe has been reduced as the Western Balkan migration route has been cut and refugees have been sent back to Greece and Turkey.

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.