Bulgarian Interior Minister Buchvarova Confers with French Counterpart Cazeneuve in Paris

Paris, April 14 (BTA) - Deputy Prime Minister for Coalition
Policy and Public Administration and Minister of Interior,
Roumyana Buchvarova, conferred here on Tuesday with her French
counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve. Buchvarova noted the good level
of cooperation between the two countries in the areas of law
enforcement and security, the Government Press Service said.

Buchvarova presented the Government's reforms in the Interior
Ministry, the Judiciary and the fight against corruption to her
French colleague. "We are convinced and strong in our
determination to make changes and hope that you will be
convinced in that very soon too," the Bulgarian Interior
Minister said.

The two discussed the measures for good management and control
of Bulgaria's borders. Video-surveillance systems will be built
for a more efficient border control and management, said
Buchvarova, noting the significance of the cooperation with
Turkey and Greece, along with Bulgaria's desire to further
develop it. Strict control is being exercised on the border with
 Turkey, as well as on flights from high-risk countries. The
fence along the Bulgarian-Turkish border is to be extended along
 the whole Bulgarian-Turkish land border, she added, explaining
that it has proven its effectiveness. "We are protecting the EU
borders professionally and responsibly, as a stable European
partner," Buchvarova said. She noted that the common problems
should be addressed jointly and with common European policies.

Minister Cazeneuve assured Buchvarova of France's readiness to
boost bilateral cooperation with Bulgaria in the fight against
illegal immigration and human trafficking, as well as in
countering organized crime in all its forms. According to
Cazeneuve, the EU external borders agency FRONTEX plays a
significant role in the common European cooperation on border
control. He said that some 270,000 persons from high-risk
countries have attempted to enter Europe in 2014 alone.

The two ministers agreed that efficient migration flow
management, good border control and the close cooperation
between European and international partners, are at the root of
the fight against terrorism and guaranteeing the European
citizens' security. The arrest and subsequent extradition of the
 French citizen, Fritz Jolie Joaquin, who was wanted on a
European Arrest Warrant, was noted as an example of the good
cooperation between Bulgaria and France. The French national is
suspected of being involved in terrorism. Bulgaria and France
are jointly participating in the working groups, part of the
global initiative to counter the so called foreign fighters and
the funding of terrorism.

The French Interior Minister assured Buchvarova that Bulgaria's
efforts are visible and France will support them in regards to
Schengen and the EC's Cooperation and Verification Mechanism.

Cazeneuve expressed his country's gratitude for Bulgarian Prime
Minister Boyko Borissov's participation in the Republican March
in Paris on January 11 of this year. The French Minister
described this a huge sign of Bulgaria's solidarity and support,
 which has remained in the French people's hearts.