Hungary will continue to support Bulgaria for its accession to Schengen

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó praised the Bulgarian-Hungarian relations by focusing on the political and economic ties between the two countries. At a joint press conference after meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Mariana Nikolova, he re-affirmed Hungary's position and said his country unconditionally supports Bulgaria for its membership in Schengen, the government's press officec said on 12^th of February.

"We will continue to provide technical assistance for the protection of the borders of Bulgaria, which are external borders of the European Union," Sijato said and stressed that Bulgaria was doing very well in protecting the external borders of the community.

Deputy Prime Minister Mariana Nikolova pointed out that Bulgaria appreciated the expressed support and added that Hungary was an important partner of our country in the European Union, with similar positions on important topics such as the European perspective of the Western Balkans and the cohesion policy.

"Our bilateral relationship can be described with one key word - friendship. They are related to intensive dialogue at all levels, as well as interaction on a wide range of bilateral issues and issues on the European and international agenda," said the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister.

Mariana Nikolova is on a two-day visit to Budapest at the invitation of the Hungarian government. The exchange of good practice and experience in implementing policies to tackle the demographic crisis, encouraging people to have more children and integration of the roma community are the topics in the focus of her visit. Later today, she will also meet with her Hungarian counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister, Zsolt Semjén.