EU's Tusk, Bulgarian president discuss border security

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and visiting European Council President Donald Tusk held talks on border security issues on Tuesday.

"Bulgaria is perhaps the best example of how to protect our borders," Tusk said at a joint press conference after talks.

"The situation is under control and it proves how efficient the Bulgarian border services and its political leadership are. We are determined to keep routes of illegal migration in this region closed," he said.

Should further difficulties arise on Bulgaria's borders, the EU has already planned emergency funding, and stands ready to react quickly in support of Bulgaria, Tusk said.

"For me, the excellent job you are doing at your borders is evidence that you have made enough progress to become part of the Schengen area," but "we need, as you know, all member states' agreement," Tusk said.

"We work hard to make it happen," he said, adding that member states have already shown their support for Bulgaria to be covered by the new high-tech systems they are building to strengthen Schengen.

"In this complicated geopolitical situation, Bulgaria plays an important role because the security of European citizens starts from the security of Bulgarian border," Radev said in turn.

Radev said they discussed relations between the EU and Turkey. "For Bulgaria, it is extremely important to develop good neighborly relations with Turkey as a neighboring country, but at the same time, increasing risks between the EU and Turkey creates the greatest risk for Bulgaria," Radev said.

Therefore, both sides should show goodwill to reduce tensions, he said.

At the same time, it is unacceptable for Turkey to interfere in the internal affairs of any country of the EU, including Bulgaria, Radev said. Endit