EU Working Hard on Bulgaria's Accession to Schengen, Tusk Tells Borisov

The EU is "working hard" for all member states' agreement on Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen borderless area, EU Council President Donald Tusk said on Friday.

At a press conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov that followed their meeting at the Euxinograd residence near the Black Sea city of Varna, Tusk admitted he knew "many in Bulgaria have considered this [the accession to Schengen] should have happened by now."

In return, he noted, Sofia should ensure that judicial reform and the fight against corruption are ongoing to make Bulgaria stronger.

Tusk, who visited Varna for the second time after having done so as Polish Prime Minister, praised Bulgaria for managing "the migratory situation at its borders well" and pointed to it as an example of efficient border protection against the backdrop of all its neighbors being subject to migratory pressure.

"These are also the EU's borders and we respect your efforts," he told Borisov. "We are fully aware of how many resources you've spent to protect Turkish and Greek borders. For me, this is clear evidence that you're ready to be part of the Schengen area and you deserve praise for actively participating in Frontex operations with other member states".

Tusk went on to say that solidarity, to which Bulgaria was now showing commitment, is a two-way process and the EU could provide assistance by considering "additional support options" in case of escalation.

"We need to be realistic" as to how to address the root causes of the migrant crisis, Tusk reiterated (he has voiced the same position on other occasions). ?Restoring control of the EU's external borders is a sine qua non condition for an effective humanitarian policy."

Borisov and Tusk had also discussed...