Minister of Interior on Schengen: Our efforts do not deserve neglect! Our efforts do not deserve insults!

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Ivan Demerdzhiev, reacted sharply to yesterday's decision of the Netherlands to block Bulgaria's accession to Schengen.

The Netherlands will block Bulgaria's accession to Schengen

"The Republic of Bulgaria is a full member of the European Union, which makes extraordinary efforts to ensure the security of its partners.

Bulgarian security forces every day with their bodies protect the peace of all European citizens, including the Dutch, at the most difficult to guard land external border of the European Union, despite the increased migration pressure - 4 times higher than last year.

Three of our border guards lost their lives to keep the Union safe, he said.

It is extremely offensive to suggest that for EUR 50 you can cross the border. Our efforts do not deserve neglect! Our efforts do not deserve insults! We have minimised secondary migration to Central and Western Europe by paying a high price.

In recent months, our country has made extraordinary efforts to meet all the requirements of our European partners. Our country has successfully passed two successive inspections under the leadership of the European Commission. Both have resulted in reports which categorically state that our country meets all the requirements of the Schengen legislation.

In return, instead of European solidarity, we receive neglect and discrimination. The price of our Schengen membership cannot be the dignity of Bulgarian police officers! We are not ready to pay such a price!", the position of the Minister of Interior reads.