Schengen Accession Is Achievable Target for Bulgaria, Romania – Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister for European Policy and Institutional Matters Meglena Kuneva has told Romania's Ambassador to Bulgaria Anton Pacuretu that the accession to the Schengen area is an achievable target for both countries.

Kuneva, as cited by the press office of the Bulgarian government, told Pacuretu that one of her first visits abroad would be to Bucharest, adding that she would seek to discuss the Schengen bids of the two countries with representatives of the Romanian government.

She made clear that the achievement of good results under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) was among the immediate priorities of the new Bulgarian government.

During the meeting, Kuneva praised Romania for the progress under the CVM, adding that she would try to use the country's achievements to speed up reforms in the areas of justice and fight against corruption in Bulgaria.

She insisted that the two neighboring countries had to maintain a special relationship and pursue common goals in the framework of the EU, stressing that it would make the two countries and the EU stronger.

Bulgaria's Deputy PM recommended including cross-border projects in the set of projects under the EU investment programme, adding that their approval by the European Commission would be easier and they would bring added value to the citizens of the two countries in terms of economic growth and job creation.

During the meeting, Kuneva and Pacuretu discussed bilateral trade relations, tourism, opportunities for implementing infrastructure projects, and cooperation in safeguarding the external borders of the EU.