15.12.2023
“Schengen negotiations continue and will continue to the last day.” This is what Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov said for media before the opening of the regular meeting of the European Council in Brussels. The Prime Minister explained that the evening before he had meetings with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, with Austria’s Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer and with Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis. “We explained that land borders are important for us and talked about what approach could be taken. The matter remains for further discussion, negotiations continue,” Acad. Nikolai Denkov added.
To a question about the proposal of the President of the European Council concerning the allocation of the planned increase of the EU budget for migration action, the Prime Minister commented that part of the resources will be spent on equipment on the Bulgarian-Turkish border and on additional patrol reinforcement from other countries.
Regarding Hungary’s decision to block EUR 50 billion in aid for Ukraine, Acad. Nikolai Denkov explained that in January the EU leaders will meet for an extraordinary meeting to make a final decision.
As for the hijacked Bulgarian ship Ruen, the Prime Minister said: “Institutions are dealing with the case. Stronger silence is needed to conduct the negotiations.”
The Prime Minister expressed his hope that the National Assembly will resume its work next week. “The budget, the Constitution and legislation to pass are extremely important matters, so I hope the Members of Parliament will catch up on their delay of yesterday and today,” Acad. Nikolai Denkov added.
