Parliament Speaker Sought Support from Germany, Austria for Accesion to Schengen

Parliament Speaker Tsveta Karayancheva sought support from Germany and Austria for the quick accession of Bulgaria to Schengen. She attended a conference of the Presidents of the Parliaments of the countries of the European Union, held in Tallinn on 24^th of April. The event discussed the security in Europe and the challenges related to migration and Brexit. In the final document of the forum, integration of the Western Balkans was one of the most important priorities.

At the conference in Tallinn, Bulgaria clearly stated that it had shown how it managed to protect the EU's external border in the face of unprecedented migratory pressures. Parliament Speaker Tsveta Karayancheva stressed to the head of the German Bundestag that Bulgaria is counting on support for joining Schengen. Wolfgang Schäuble is a leading figure in Chancellor Merkel's party and a politician with a key role in important events in Germany, including the preparation of the reunification treaty in the 90's. Karayancheva thanked for the German help in the judicial reform, internal security and border security.

I briefed Mr. Wolfgang Schäuble with the progress Bulgaria made, how we guard the borders, what our desires are and how it is appropriate for Bulgaria to be in Schengen. He said that Bulgaria is working hard and this progress is visible across Europe, Karayancheva said.

Migration policy and conflict resolution are one of the key points in the final document of the forum. It also gives special attention to the Western Balkans in the context of security in Europe.

The European perspective of the Western Balkan countries should be based on successful reforms and progress in the negotiations, the participants in the forum noted.

The integration of these countries is also a priority of Austrian foreign policy, it became clear at a meeting with the President of the National Council of Austria.

In Tallinn, Bulgaria received positive feedback for the Bulgarian Presidency.

Director for EU Affairs of the Government Officei in Estonia, Klen Jäärats: You are doing well so far. We cannot be dissatisfied that you have already completed part of the work that we have left unfinished.

He says the presidency is going easier than expected, and the results from the Bulgarians presidency are yet to come.