Bulgaria’s Prime Minister met with Greece’s Minister of Migration Policy

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on September 20 met with Greece’s Minister of Migration Policy, Giorgos Koumoutsakos. PM Borissov stressed that Bulgaria and Greece have traditionally had similar positions on migration and asylum.

"We are ready to continue to work together in defending our common interests as front-line countries," the Prime Minister added, emphasizing the serious work of Bulgaria on protecting the European Union's external border.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister noted that Greece was one of the most affected countries in the migration crisis in the recent years and there is no way that this would not affect Bulgaria. We appreciate your efforts to tackle this great challenge, Prime Minister Borissov said, adding that Bulgaria was actively involved in activities aimed at supporting Greece and coordinated by various European agencies. At the same time, the Bulgarian Prime Minister stressed that active cooperation with Turkey was needed on the topic of migration.

In the course of the talks, PM Borissov said that the country’s interaction with Greece in the area of internal affairs is at a very high level.

"We work together to combat cross-border crime, illegal migration, trafficking in human beings, smuggling of goods. We apply the best European and Schengen practices," the Bulgarian Prime Minister noted.

Borissov paid special attention to regional cooperation and support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans. According to him, this joint priority will benefit from even closer coordination at the bilateral level, within the EU and NATO and at regional level.