At the end of the first phase of Brexit talks, the rights of European citizens in Britain have not been defended properly and have been sacrificed as a priority, while progress has been made in terms of the border with Ireland and probably regarding the financial contribution of the UK – this is according to the former Bulgarian ambassador to Great Britain Stefan Tafrov who gave an interview to the Bulgarian National Radio correspondent in Brussels.

Stefan Tafrov who is former deputy foreign minister and Bulgarian ambassador to the UN thinks that one of the problems that Europeans and Bulgarians in particular could be faced with would be a very difficult procedure of getting permission for permanent residence and work in Britain.However, he also said that while talks continue there was still a chance of better results for EU.

“I believe that a country like Bulgaria which has many citizens abroad should take a firm stance in favor of Bulgarians in Great Britain during upcoming talks”, said Stefan Tafrov who subscribes to a soft Brexit scenario. He does not rule out a second referendum in UK which might stop its exiting the European Union – given the lack of clarity on the final deal between London and Brussels and possible reactions to it in Britain.