Bulgarian, Maltese presidents urge Europe to invest in migration source countries

SOFIA, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- The presidents of Bulgaria and Malta here on Monday said that Europe should invest in migration source countries to achieve a sustainable solution to the migrant crisis.

"It is very important to understand that a lasting solution to the migration crisis is possible only by ensuring greater security and stabilization of the regions from which migrants and refugees arrive," Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said at a joint press conference after bilateral talks with his visiting Maltese counterpart Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

These regions should receive assistance for their economic and social development with particular attention to education and health, Radev said.

According to Radev, the policy of opening doors to refugees has caused huge problems in countries where migrants leave from.

When people knew that they could solve their problems if they manage to get to Europe, these people became spiritually detached from the problems of their own country, Radev said.

"When Europe offers social security to millions of people from these problematic regions, they actually stop to think about the future of their countries and think how to come to Europe," he said.

For that reason, Europe should focus on creating security zones and stabilizing and strengthening these countries in every way so that their citizens can live with the problems of their own countries, be motivated to stay there, know that they have a future in their own countries and work for that future, Radev said.

"Here Europe needs to be much more active, to not become a fortress, but to go on the spot to help the countries of North Africa and the Middle East," Radev said.

Coleiro Preca echoed that sustainable investment should be made into Africa, into these countries, in projects that can create jobs.

"We must look at Africa as the next emerging market, and the nearest emerging market to us," she said.

Coleiro Preca, who is on a two-day state visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of Radev, will meet later on Monday with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and the National Assembly Speaker Tsveta Karayancheva. Enditem