“Bulgaria deserves to be in the Schengen area because it has implemented all technical requirements,” said Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister for Coalition Policy and Public Administration and Minister of Interior Rumyana Bachvarova, speaking at the official opening of the XII International conference Security in Southeast Europe – New Geopolitical Dynamics held in the Bulgarian capital city Sofia.

“Bulgaria has the right to be in the Schengen area because its citizens have equal rights with the citizens of the other European countries. If we secure and guarantee the right of free movement to newcomers then why we refuse the same right to be given to the Bulgarian citizens since our country implements its European engagements,” Minister Bachvarova remarked.

In her words, the country has the juridical ground to be in Schengen because it is stated under Article 4 of its accession treaty.

“That is why we will not trade our Schengen membership with the acceptance of refugees. These are two different issues.

Speaking of Schengen, it is an engagement of our European partners. The refugees, on the other hand, are a responsibility of our country and our engagements towards the EU.

Binding the two issues together will be belittling of our position on the two issues,” Minister Rumyana Bachvarova said further.