07.06.2017
Angela Merkel: We highly appreciate the efforts of Bulgaria in protecting the EU external borders
We highly appreciate the efforts of Bulgaria, which is still not a member of Schengen and despite this clearly controls the Bulgarian-Turkish border and protects the external borders of the European Union. Bulgaria deserves our recognition, said the Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel after her meeting with Prime Minister Boyko Borissov at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin. She congratulated our country on the results achieved in respect to fighting trafficking of migrants and underlined that Bulgaria has improved the protection of the border with Turkey. “This is a big responsibility and burden for Bulgaria and in this sense we want your country to become part of Schengen,” commented Merkel.
According to the German Chancellor, Bulgaria plays an important role for the stability in the region of the Western Balkans. “We will provide hope for a perspective and we will support these countries, because the other political partners are also interested in us having good relations. We want it to be clear that our support for the Western Balkans will not change,” she underlined. Angela Merkel highlighted the readiness of her country to support Bulgaria for the upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU in the beginning of 2018 and Prime Minister Borissov pointed out the opportunities that the Presidency will provide for activating the EU enlargement process for the Western Balkan countries.
“Thanks to its geographic location and the upcoming Presidency of the EU next year, Bulgaria can do a lot to support the Balkans. This coincides also with the plans of Berlin. We want to provide a European perspective to ordinary people on the Balkans,” noted the Prime Minister.
He also pointed out that he will put efforts into the normalization of the relations between the EU and Turkey. “I will use the influence that I have to express my opinion. We have to try to normalize our relations with our neighbor,” said Prime Minister Borissov and added that he has informed Chancellor Merkel about his forthcoming visit to Turkey during which he will hold talks with President Erdogan and Prime Minister Yildirim.
At their meeting today Merkel and Borissov discussed the project for the creation of a system for common European defence and consolidation in the security field. “Consolidation in the security field is needed – not only in respect to the fight against terrorism and internal security but also in respect to global threats. This is a dream of mine – the EU to be a collective member of NATO,” said the Prime Minister and underlined that the fight against terrorism was one of the highlights of the talks.
Chancellor Merkel pointed out that the two countries will work for expansion of the bilateral relations. “Our bilateral relations are very good, very intensive, with good economic ties and we will deliberate on how we can expand them,” she said and added that for German companies it is a good investment in the future to commit to economic relations with Bulgaria.
Merkel also noted that she took opportunity of the meeting to congratulate Prime Minister Borissov personally on his election as leader of the new government in Bulgaria and expressed her satisfaction with the fact that their common work will continue in the future. “In you and in Germany we see this as a warm gesture towards Bulgarian people for the efforts we make in protecting the border with Turkey and for being a reliable EU member,” pointed Borissov.
Prime Minister Borissov presented the development of the energy projects in Bulgaria, especially the project for the European gas hub “Balkan”. Borissov also said that the Bulgarian government will continue to work actively for our country to enter the ERM II. “We will continue all efforts and we will do everything necessary for Bulgaria to be on first gear within the European Union. We deserve it,” he added.
