18.03.2020
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov had a telephone conversation with the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán regarding the Bulgarian citizens waiting to cross Hungary to return to Bulgaria. Prime Minister Borissov has received assurance from his Hungarian counterpart that he will assist in providing a passage corridor later today, secured by law enforcement officers with safety measures. "I am a great friend to you and the Bulgarian citizens. I don't want to cause them any inconvenience. I will personally take care of the Bulgarians who are on our border," Prime Minister Orbán said during his conversation with Borissov. For his part, the Bulgarian Prime Minister stressed noted that we also have assurances from the Romanian side that the necessary measures will be taken so that there are no clusters along the borders.
Immediately after the conversation, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zakharieva received a call from the Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó. He assured her that within a few hours the border would be open to Bulgarian citizens. Szijjártó added that an in the future Bulgarian citizens will be able to cross Hungary's land borders from 9 pm local time (10 pm Bulgarian time) to 5 am local time (6 am Bulgarian time), while urging all travellers to follow the directions given by law enforcement agencies and wait patiently to enter.
Deputy Prime Minister Zakharieva also reported to Prime Minister Borissov that our embassies in Vienna and Budapest are providing full assistance to the blocked Bulgarian citizens.
During their telephone conversation, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán also discussed the coronavirus pandemic. The Bulgarian Prime Minister emphasised on the state of emergency announced by the National Assembly and the measures taken by the government to address the situation in conjunction with the National Operational Headquarters. Prime Minister Borissov noted the mobilization of the Bulgarian industry and its quick response to start the production of protective clothing, which is currently needed all around the world. Prime Minister Borissov added that when Bulgaria meets its needs and has enough protective clothing, it is ready to assist other countries in need.
