President Rumen Radev held a telephone talk today with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, during which he expressed Bulgaria's expectation that the results achieved by Bulgaria in securing the external European borders will be recognised by all European partners and that Bulgaria will join the Schengen area as soon as possible.

Connectivity is of key importance in the conditions of crisis and disrupted or severely hampered supply chains, so facilitating communication between the EU member states in Southeast Europe through the enlargement of the Schengen area should be a priority, the President stressed.

Von der Leyen expressed her support for Bulgaria's accession to Schengen and highlighted this country's record in securing the borders of the European Union, despite the strong migration pressure.

The two also discussed the actions taken by the caretaker cabinet to deal with the consequences of the economic crisis for the citizens and businesses and to ensure Bulgaria's macroeconomic and financial stability. The reduction of the inflation rate achieved in recent weeks through the lowering of energy prices, the implementation of a reasonable budgetary policy and the avoidance of excessive indebtedness also contribute to the implementation of the national plan for the accession of this country to the Eurozone and leave a solid basis for the next regular government on the path of full European integration.