site.btaUPDATED Bulgaria, Romania Will Keep Working on Projects Together Even if They Don't Join Schengen Soon, Cross-Border Cooperation Expert Says

Svetoslav Kyosev, an expert on cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and Romania, believes that even if the two countries do not join the Schengen area soon or if their accession bids get decoupled, it will not stop them from working together on cross-border projects. Kyosev spoke to BTA during a visit to Bucharest for a conference on the Black Sea and the blue economy organized by the Romanian Foreign Ministry with support from the European Commission. 

"I don't believe the situation will worsen in any way. There might be administrative obstacles. Schengen would provide easier and quicker access. Everyone has been made to wait at customs. Having to wait is probably the most unpleasant thing, he said. 

He pointed out that things are way easier now than they were before 2007 when Bulgaria joined the EU. "It was very difficult to cross the border back then, with all the passports, stamps and various kinds of checks. Schengen would ensure a faster border crossing. But companies carry on with their work, partnerships are still in operation. And Covid has taught us how to work in an online environment as well", the expert said. 

Kyosev said that there is an exchange of young professionals between Bulgaria and Romania, adding that Bulgarians who have graduated in Romania outnumber the Romanians who have studied in Bulgaria. The expert noted that trade between the two countries is also growing, and joint projects are contributing to that.

"Things are going well. People have started to venture into different partnerships and more diverse projects. We are entering the third programming period. The first one began in 2007 after we joined the EU and lasted until 2013, and the second one spanned between 2014 and 2020," the expert said.

Kyosev added that during the third programming period, a project is being prepared with Bulgarian and Romanian institutions. Statistics show that there are too many traffic accidents in Bulgaria involving Romanian motorists. "Our idea is to develop a project that will serve as a public awareness campaign about the consequences of reckless driving," the expert said.

He noted that there is also interest in cooperation in the field of biodiversity.

"The vast majority of participants in the Black Sea conference in Bucharest, which ends tonight, are Romanians and Bulgarians. The main topics that concern both countries are the clean environment in the Black Sea, the blue economy and port infrastructure. Unfortunately, the presentations show that very few Bulgarian companies are working in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Bulgarian participation is also weak in fisheries and aquaculture funds and programmes. This means that we need to work in this direction", Kyosev said.

He called for greater openness between institutions and pointed out that there is a great need for experts, especially in cross-border cooperation.