Bulgaria and Switzerland to Deepen Economic, Security Cooperation

Bern, June 15 (BTA) - Bulgaria and Switzerland will sign a joint
 agreement for police cooperation, it emerged after a meeting
between Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and the President of the
Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of
Justice and Police, Simonetta Sommaruga, Cabinet's Press Service
 reported on Monday. The two discussed migration policy, the
refugee crisis and Bulgaria's Schengen accession. Borissov and a
 delegation led by him is on a two-day working visit to
Switzerland.

"We have long had Switzerland's support for Schengen," Borissov
said. He noted that the refugee wave is currently a major
problem not only Bulgaria, but for Europe as well. "We are
making huge efforts, we are spending enormous amounts, we are
burdening the police with tasks. You see, the people can barely
stand it. Equipment keeps breaking down, over 100 million leva
are needed for a fence, new refugee camps," Borissov said during
 the meeting. He noted that Bulgaria is doing an excellent job
protecting the EU's external border, despite suffering a lot
from the refugee problem. President Sommaruga voiced her
positive impressions with the measures Bulgaria has taken to
protect the border, as well as the fight against smuggling and
the increased budget revenue.

Borissov and Sommaruga agreed to develop bilateral relations in
various areas of mutual interest, such as joining efforts in an
economic aspect. "We have 76 million francs under the
Bulgarian-Swiss cooperation programme. We have a good
partnership and are implementing various joint projects.
Meanwhile, they have a series of problems and questions,
regarding which we could provide support, and the business forum
 which is held today (Monday) will give an even greater impetus
to our relations," the Bulgarian Prime Minister said.

Borissov also conferred with Vice President and Head of the
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
Johann Schneider-Ammann. He noted during the meeting that the
political stability in Bulgaria is attracting a growing number
of investors. The Prime Minister stressed Bulgaria's economic
growth of over two per cent this year, adding that this country
is a good place for investments with one of its advantages being
 the low tax rates. Borissov recalled that over two billion leva
 more have been collected in revenue compared to last year.
According to him, this is due to the tightened work of the
control bodies, which increases revenue from excise duty, taxes
and the fight against smuggling. He noted that the weighbridges
along the borders are detecting 17 times more goods, while
excise duty revenue has increased by 60 per cent. Borissov also
stressed that Cabinet has managed to reduce the budget deficit.