Good morning again, It is a very important informal meeting of the Ministers of Interior that will take place here in Sofia. We have to find a way to agree in setting up and adopting a Common European Asylum System. No decision will be made today, but I believe that our colleagues, the Ministers, will contribute in a constructive way, in order to reach a solution. At the same time, we are going to discuss also issues related with the better management of our external borders. Bulgaria is a good example of how you can manage your external borders and, at the same time, the external borders of the European Union. Another point that will be discussed is returns of the ones who are not eligible to stay in Europe, and we have to be more efficient there. During the meeting some Ministers might raise other issues, but, for the moment, these are the main topics in our agenda. I look forward to a good discussion and a good understanding with my colleagues, Ministers of Interior of all Member States.
Q: Do you think that the relocation quota will be part of this new policy?
Relocation works and I can tell you now, 2.5 years after, that it is a success story. More than 30.000 people have already been relocated. At the same time, the numbers have gone down. We have fewer applications, but, on the other hand, the system works. Resettlement also works and we have the first very positive results. Definitely, we are not where we were 3 years ago. We have made great progress with the support and contribution of the Member States. But we have to remain vigilant, as we never know what the future will be holding for us. What we try to do, is to set up schemes, mechanisms and a policy that will provide Member States and the EU with all necessary means, in order to address similar phenomena in the future.
Q: But the eastern countries are not taking refugees. Is that working …?
Well, let's stop using the term eastern and western countries. This period belongs to the past. I believe that everybody is inspired by the European spirit that should prevail everywhere. We are in a common house; we all belong to the same family. We have to start thinking and acting in the same way. This is Europe and this is how we have to build our future.
Q: Are you optimistic that revision of quota can be resolved by the month of June?
By nature I am optimistic. I think that what will prevail is the European spirit and the spirit of solidarity. I have repeatedly said that this term cannot be interpreted differently. If you take a look in the dictionaries of all European languages, you see that the term solidarity has the same interpretation and the same meaning. Let's do something to get out of this stalemate because for me it's not a real one. It’s a question of how you think politically addressing sometimes your domestic audiences. Thank you.