site.btaInterior Minister Presents Results of Last Week's Visit to Germany

Interior Minister Presents Results of Last Week's Visit to Germany

Sofia, August 29 (BTA) - The migration crisis and Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen Area and to the ERM II, the transitional mechanism to joining the single European currency zone, topped the agenda of the talks, which Interior Minister Roumyana Buchvarova had in Germany on August 24-25.

She noted there has been a 20-30 per cent drop of the migration pressure compared to last year. Its structure has also changed as now it is dominated by migrants from Afghanistan and Iraq at the expense of a drop of the flow from Syria. "Adhering to our commitments for restriction of the movement of migrants from Bulgaria to the rest of Europe, we are strengthening control along the Bulgarian-Serbian border and halting such attempts of people, having managed to cross illegally into Bulgaria," Buchvarova observed. During the past 1-1.5 months the capacity of the migration centres has been exceed and this poses risks of complication of the situation.

The Interior Minister outlined several major threats for the country: an increase of the incoming migrants, who have to stay in the country regardless of their unwillingness and a possible tangible inflow of refugees from the Bulgarian-Turkish border. "This is only a hypothesis but we are prepared and have a plan involving the army, the gendarmerie and all available forces," she commented. The third and most serious risk, as she put it, is related to the possible non-implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement, which could bring about destabilization of Europe and a high political risk for Europe. The agreement has been approved by all European leaders but is not implemented, Buchvarova added.

"Generally, the best solution for us in this complex situation is to settle the issue with the readmission of migrants passing through the Bulgarian-Turkish border," the Deputy Prime Minister said. In her opinion, this can be done if Turkey applies the readmission protocol signed. In this way Bulgaria would be able to grant refugee status to the eligible migrants. The Turkish side, however, is not implementing the protocol as it has not been approved by the Government although the Parliament has ratified it. For this reason, Bulgaria has undertaken intensive actions to explain the situation in Turkey and in Germany.

"We appear as an interim entity sustaining consequences from circumstances that do not depend on us," said Buchvarova. She recalled the objections of the Turkish side that neither the agreed funds with the EU are paid nor the agreements for liberalization of the visa regime are being fulfilled, while Turkey has 3 million refugees on its territory and expects another 2 million to come.

This situation was presented in Germany. Bulgaria voiced its fears of becoming a buffer and proposed to Germany and the other European partners to deliver carefully-considered common decisions that would not be detrimental to border countries, such as Greece, Italy and Bulgaria.

Deputy Prime Minister Buchvarova has told Chancellor Merkel that there are two levels of security when it comes to the migration crisis: protection of the external borders of the EU and accepting the common policies regarding migrants, who have been granted a refugee status. Some countries tend to provide actively support at the border but refuse to be involved in the common process of equal distribution of weights, she commented. "We insist to develop European policies and seek the best solution rather than undertaking bilateral initiatives, such as the one of the Serbian Government, which requested help from the EU member state Hungary for the protection of its common border with another EU country," Buchvarova added.

According to Buchvarova, Bulgaria's position was heard and understood very well during the meeting with Merkel, which was also attended by the prime ministers of Croatia, Slovenia and Austria. It was accepted that the migration topic will feature high in the Council's work and paths towards a solution will be sought.

The Bulgarian side has insisted that contacts be initiated and dialogue with Turkey continued regarding the agreement's implementation. This is not about mediation, because that is not what the Turkish side desires, Buchvarova explained. According to her, ways for gradually implementing the agreement should be sought. There is a reaction in Europe regarding the visa liberalization, but the arguments come after a political decision has been already made, the Deputy Prime Minister commented.

Important topics for Bulgaria have been brought up during the talks in Germany, such as this country's accession to the Schengen Area and to the ERM II. The Commission found in 2011 that Bulgaria meets the requirements for Schengen membership, but such a decision was not made for political reasons, Buchvarova said. With all the currently existing problems within the Schengen Area, it is becoming ever clearer that Bulgaria's membership is of a common interest for guaranteeing Europe's security and providing this country with access to all the instruments for guaranteeing access to EU territory. The Bulgarian side has asked to be provided with a perspective for Schengen membership, she said, adding that the reaction is not very positive at lower levels, while there is better understanding at higher-level talks.

Bulgaria has asked to have its arguments for ERM II admission reviewed. "We publicly brought up our national interest and this was accepted well by the partners," she commented. Buchvarova noted that she will send letters to her colleagues in the next few days. On Tuesday she will meet with her Greek counterpart and on Friday she will confer with the Austrian Interior Minister. A meeting, organized by the Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, is to be held between the prime ministers of Bulgaria and Greece, as well as with the other participants in the meeting in Germany.

The Bulgarian side has also asked for an additional 300 Frontex officers and equipment to help with border protection. According to Buchvarova, however, 200 officers are a realistic expectation, while Poland has said it can send between 60 and 80 people.