In Bulgaria, EU's Tusk stresses safe borders

By Ihvan Rodoykov

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AA) - Visiting the country, the head of the European Union Council said Tuesday that the bloc would support Bulgaria protecting Europe’s frontier with Turkey.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Donald Tusk said that they expect Turkey to fulfil its agreement with the EU on asylum-seekers.

"We will do all we can to prevent illegal immigration. Thankfully the situation of the Turkish-Greek border is under control now," Tusk added, noting that they will support Bulgaria's spending on border protection and are ready to extend additional financial assistance.

Bulgaria has been an EU member since 2007.

He also motioned that Bulgaria is ready to join the Schengen area, but that such decisions must be taken with the common support of all member states.

Radev stressed that Bulgaria’s border with Turkey is well protected and that Sofia places great importance on good relations with Ankara.

Turkey last year agreed to control the migration flow in exchange for additional financial support in order to support the millions of refugees in Turkey and also visa liberation for Turkish citizens traveling in the Schengen zone.

However, the March agreement is in jeopardy since the EU has yet not granted visa liberation to Turkish citizens. Turkish officials have repeatedly said that unless Europe holds up its end of the deal, Turkey will no longer respect the agreement.