Bulgaria being outside Schengen is not in the EU's interest, President Radev told PM of the Netherlands

Leaving Bulgaria outside 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 on November 30 said in a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte.

During the conversation, Bulgaria’s Head of State recalled that the European Commission has repeatedly confirmed Bulgaria's readiness to join Schengen and the country expects support from all its EU partners.

Ursula von der Leyen confirmed to Rumen Radev the EC's support for Bulgaria's accession to Schengen

The latest inspection of the protection of the external European borders by the European Commission's mission, which took place in October this year at Bulgaria's invitation, also confirmed our country's readiness to join the Schengen area, and support was also expressed by the European Parliament.

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