Deputy Prime Minister Meglena Kuneva said on Tuesday that there was high likelihood for the country to achieve accession to the Schengen Area by the end of the year.

Kuneva stated this while on a visit to the city of Burgas, where she inspected the levels of security at the Port of Burgas and the airport.

Following her inspection, the deputy prime minister deemed the readiness of the Bulgarian maritime borders as satisfying the technical requirements for accession to the Schengen Area.

Kuneva expressed hope that the accession of the country could be achieved as soon as possible, so Bulgaria can be among the states, which determine the faith of European security.

She added that seven years ago, seven European countries were opposed to Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen Area, while at present only two countries were against it.

According to her, the main obstacles to the country's accession were the shortcomings in the judiciary and the security.