Bulgaria needs extension of Schengen funds term

published on 10/17/09 9:54 AM

Photo: BGNES

The Schengen space is a symbol of united Europe, sanctioning the essential right of European citizens to move freely. Bulgaria has the ambition to wrap up preparations for joining the Schengen space in 2011, together with Romania. To achieve this, our country needs to comply with certain criteria that would ensure an effective defence of EU exterior border, which our country happens to be in the southeast part of Europe. Bulgaria has been working intensively on the construction of a most up-to-date visa centre. The preparation for joining the Schengen space is preceded by numerous evaluation inspections in various spheres- police cooperation, land, air and sea borders, personal data protection, visa issuance and the Schengen information system.

“Schengen is a policy priority with the Bulgarian government. The absorption of relevant EC-allocated funding effectively began only in April 2007. The Interior Ministry is expected to absorb some 143 million euros in implementation of the conditions concerning the exterior border. I regret to say that only 33% of available funds has been absorbed. Needles to say, this government has stepped up the pace of work. Romania has identical problems; I and my Romanian counterpart have agreed to cooperate in matters of border policing. We need to work comprehensively; the admission to Schengen will be contingent upon inspection evaluation of criteria covered”, Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov said in an interview for Radio Bulgaria.

Bulgaria and Romania will seek to cultivate a lobby among EU member-states favouring an extension by several months of the date by which the country should have absorbed all funds granted. And yet, Bulgaria’s borders seem to be the most uphill job, admits Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov.

“An inspection of our sea border was carried out 8 weeks ago and we’re now waiting for the report back. There’s an ongoing check of aerial borders now. The airports are being checked, their trustworthiness and security. We believe we shall have the assessment back in another 8 weeks. We’ve already stated our intention to join the Schengen Information System. Relevant procedures to this end have already gone under way in order to initiate the implementation of our linkage to the information system in line with EU criteria”, Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov said.

English version: Margarita Dikanarova

По публикацията работи: Iliyana Raicheva

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Bulgaria needs extension of Schengen funds term

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