site.btaPM Denkov and Croatian Foreign Minister Discuss Schengen, Trade Ties, Connectivity

Meeting with Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov here on Monday, Croatian  Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlic-Radman, expressed Zagreb's support for Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area. "I am sure that Bulgaria will soon be admitted to Schengen. This is in the interest of the European Union," he said as quoted by Bulgaria's Government Information Service.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister pointed out that the abolition of border control between Bulgaria and Greece and Bulgaria and Romania would allow the guarding of these borders to be redirected to the borders with Serbia and Turkiye, where the migrant pressure is the strongest. Denkov also highlighted the economic and environmental advantages of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area.

The topic of conversation between Prime Minister Denkov and Minister Radman was the deepening of trade between the two countries. The Croatian Ministers said he would be happy to see Croatian wine sold in Bulgarian shops, as well as Bulgarian wine on the shelves in his country.

Improving connectivity and infrastructure between the two countries was also discussed during the meeting. Denkov commented intent to modernize the railway lines between Bulgaria and Croatia. Radman noted the opening of a permanent direct flight between the two European capitals would also be useful.

Bulgaria and Croatia can also cooperate in the energy sector. Denkov pointed out that some of the biggest projects related to photovoltaic systems are the work of Bulgarian companies.