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Ministers Inspect Readiness for Schengen

Bulgaria's Vice PM and Minister of Interior Tsvetan Tsvetanov (R) and Minister of Transport Alexandar Tsvetkov checked the exits for passengers to countries outside the Schengen zone at Sofia Airport Photo Anton Chalakov

Bulgaria's four international airports in the cities of Sofia, Varna, Bourgas and Plovdiv are ready to become an outer border to the Schengen zone, confirmed Vice PM and Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov and Minister of Transport Alexandar Tsvetkov during their checkup at Sofia Airport. Most probably Bulgaria will join the Schengen passport-free travel zone in March 2011, but it has to meet all requirements as an outer border to the zone.
"In a month only, we managed to make up for the 18-month delay and Bulgaria is now ready for the inspection of the European Commission due on November 19," said minister Tsvetkov.
Bulgaria would join the Schengen zone only if it meets all requirements on the security of the borders.
"Integrating with the Schengen zone is not a political decision such as joining the EU," Vice PM Tsvetan Tsvetanov said.
The EU has granted 160 million euro to Bulgaria for bringing the infrastructure in compliance with Schengen requirements.

Tanya Kirkova