The EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos discussed with Bulgarian citizens issues related to migration and security in the European Union. The event was held in Sofia and was organized by the European Commission representation in Bulgaria.

Commissioner Avramopoulos voiced optimism about Europe’s future, because in his view the challenges may result in higher inspiration. Dimitris Avramopoulos believes that the EU is ready to deal with all types of difficulties.

“The migrant wave may raise concerns in the EU citizens, but we should be more humane to these people, because countries on other continents consist of European citizens as well. Fear undermines the principles and the values of the European civilization. We live in an era of mobility. That is why the EU seeks dialogue and cooperation with the migrants’ home countries and the countries which are common transit routes for migrants trying to reach a better place to live. Now it is important to turn illegal migration into controlled migration. We allow the migrants who respect the law to stay in the EU and have the mechanisms to extradite those who do not comply with the law, without offending them of course”.

The participants at the discussion also commented how Bulgaria’s Presidency of the Council of the EU is expected to deal with the migrant issues:

“One of the responsibilities of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union is linked with the completion of the reform of the Dublin Regulation. The Dublin Regulation and the Geneva Conventions are quite old and must be updated and the focus should fall on fairer treatment of frontline countries such as Bulgaria, Greece and Italy. ”

The European Union has been fighting terrorism and religious radicalization. However, according to Dimitris Avramopoulos, the main danger for Europe is related to the revival of nationalism. Commissioner Avramopoulos distinguished nationalism from healthy patriotism and reminded that the EU was founded with the idea to become an area of stability and cooperation. Meanwhile, it gives more independence to the regions in recent times:

“The Schengen Area is a unique achievement. The world is not divided into blocks anymore and the European citizens are cosmopolitan people who do not like to be isolated. They want to live in a global society without hatred. Emigrants and terrorists are often placed under a common denominator, which is not right. Meanwhile, we have been witnessing that second-generation migrants have been turning against the countries which do not make enough efforts for their integration and the European leaders must show responsibility and focus their attention on this field. The EU member states must build stronger mutual confidence and cooperate more efficiently, if they want to have better results in the fight against terrorism and prevention of terrorist attacks.”

Brexit would not have negative effect on security in the EU, Commissioner Avramopoulos said and added:

“The fact that the United Kingdom will leave the EU does not mean that cooperation between the European Union and Great Britain will cease. Britain has a very good intelligence service and we will continue to rely on this partner.”

English version: Kostadin Atanasov