Executive Director of Europol: You have our support for Schengen

A series of bilateral meetings were held on June 9, by the Bulgarian Minister of Interior, Kalin Stoyanov, in Luxembourg.

He met with the Executive Director of Europol, Catherine De Bolle, and thanked her for her consistent support for Bulgaria in its efforts to join Schengen. Minister Stoyanov assured that Bulgaria will work actively to become part of the area by the end of the year.

"You can count on our support for Schengen," Catherine De Bolle said.

The two discussed the cooperation between Bulgaria and Europol and noted that it has increased in recent years.

"We are sure that we will continue in this spirit in the future," Minister Kalin Stoyanov said.

He stressed that Bulgaria is actively working on countering illegal migration, human and drug trafficking, as well as money laundering.

"We have set high targets in countering counterfeit currency," he added.

They also discussed common steps to counter illegal migration.

The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Director of the chief directorate for combatting organised crime, Senior Commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov, and the Director of the International Operational Cooperation Directorate, Senior Commissioner Valentin Kostov.

Minister Kalin Stoyanov also met with the Executive Director of Frontex Hans Leijtens.

"Bulgaria highly appreciates the long-standing cooperation and support it receives from Frontex to tackle cross-border crime and increase the effectiveness of returns," Minister Stoyanov said.

He noted that the country has recently acquired a new border police vessel, which is scheduled to participate in Frontex operational activities for four months at the end of 2023.

"Our professional contact is at an excellent level. The relationship between the Bulgarian Border Police and Frontex is an example of how the agency and member states can cooperate," said the Frontex Executive Director.

The meeting was also attended by the Director of the Border Police General Directorate, Chief Commissioner Rositsa Dimitrova.