Radev holds a call with Dutch Prime Minister

 

Leaving Bulgaria out of Schengen is not in the interest of the European Union and does not contribute to the common efforts to tackle security challenges and the severe economic crisis in Europe, President Rumen Radev said in a telephone conversation with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

 

The head of State recalled that the European Commission had repeatedly confirmed Bulgaria's preparedness to join Schengen and this country expected support from all its EU partners. The latest inspection of the protection of the external European borders by the European Commission's mission last October at Bulgaria's invitation, also confirmed this country's readiness to join the Schengen area, and support was also expressed by the European Parliament.

 

Bulgaria expects the EU institutions and the member states to be guided by the established criteria for Schengen membership and not by other considerations, President Rumen Radev concluded.