EC Vice-President Jourova on Bulgaria's bid to join Schengen: I will do my best to convince the Netherlands and Austria

"The European Commission wants to see Bulgaria in Schengen because the country has fulfilled all the conditions, but some member states are still opposed, the EC can convince them that Bulgaria has fulfilled the conditions, mainly the Netherlands. I will do my best to convince the Netherlands and Austria that the European Commission is sure that the conditions have been met," European Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova told BNT on October 27.

She explained that migration should be managed through better control of external borders, otherwise Schengen as a system would have to be sacrificed.

"A temporary measure has been put in place in response to increasing migration, the normal functioning of the Schengen regime must be restored," Vera Jourová said.

In her words, the constitutional reform is going very well, in a good direction. The Commission supports Bulgaria on the path of these reforms, Vera Jourová added.

On the war between Hamas and Israel, she is adamant that peace must be restored in the region.

"A solution must be found as the conflict could escalate in wider region," said Vera Jourová.

Bulgaria's bid to join Schengen: Denkov says the country has made progress, Rutte does not want "sugarcoating" the truth