site.bta Interior Minister Buchvarova, German Counterpart Maizere Discuss Support for Security of Bulgarian Borders

Interior Minister Buchvarova, German Counterpart Maizere Discuss Support for Security of Bulgarian Borders

Sofia, August 25 (BTA) - Interior Minister Roumyana Buchvarova and her German counterpart Thomas de Maiziere discussed the security environment in the Balkans, possible support of Bulgaria on the part of the EU and Germany for the security of the country's borders and finding a coordinated all-European solution to the crisis, Buchvarova' Ministry said Thursday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Roumyana Buchvarova is on a working visit to Berlin.

Buchvarova outlined the latest measures undertaken by Bulgarian authorities to protect the border and counter illegal migration, underscoring that this country invests enormous resources in border security to manage external EU borders and migration processes effectively. She explained that Bulgaria has requested additional support from Frontex in response of the need for a coordinated action in view of the flow of migrants along the EU external borders.

The interior ministers of Bulgaria and Germany also discussed the establishment of a centre to counter illegal migration and trafficking, which is currently under way at the Interior Ministry.

Buchvarova also had a working meeting with the Senator of the Interior and Sports of the German state of Berlin, Frank Henkel. He underscored the position that as a frontline member-state Bulgaria should not be left alone to cope with the migration pressure. Frontex has an important role in the context of European solidarity, he said, underscoring that it is important for the agency to provide sufficient support for Bulgaria at guaranteeing the security of the borders. Buchvarova and Henkel also discussed the forthcoming Bulgarian EU presidency. Germany will assist the Interior Ministry in the preparations for the presidency scheduled for the beginning of 2018. Internships and training courses for Interior Ministry officials will be provided and regular meetings between teams of the two countries on case files, so that Bulgaria could learn from Germany's experience.

On the first day of her visit, Buchvarova also visited the Hasso-Plattner-Institut in Potsdam. She acquainted herself with the institute's programmes for cybersecurity, civil identification management and the training of specialists in this field.

The Bulgarian Interior Minister is also scheduled to meet the Chairman of the Interior Committee of the German Bundestag, Ansgar Heveling, and to acquaint herself with the work of the German Federal Police's strategic and analytical centre for countering illegal migration.