site.btaBulgaria-UNHCR Cooperation Regarding Rights of Protection Seekers Are at Excellent Level

Bulgaria-UNHCR Cooperation Regarding Rights of Protection Seekers Are at Excellent Level

Sofia, August 3 (BTA) - Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov met with the newly appointed UN High Commissioner for Refugees Representative to Bulgaria Mathijs le Rutte on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry said.

Mitov said: "Bulgaria has an irrevocable commitment to apply the established standards regarding persons seeking protection. The country complies strictly with the international humanitarian law and the international law in the area of human rights and the capacity for the provision of protection has significantly increased. At the same time we are paying due attention to the guarding of the national border, part of which is an external border of the EU." During the talks the two discussed the current situation in the Balkans in relation to the refugee crisis, the situation in Bulgaria, the EU agreement with Turkey and other topics on the international agenda.

Bulgaria attaches utmost priority to the fight against human traffic rings, in particular, with a view to the danger of terrorist activity, Mitov also said. The country pays serious attention to the long-term aspects of the problem, namely, the integration of persons who have been granted international protection in Bulgaria, he added.

On his part, the UNHCR Representative in Bulgaria thanked for the excellent cooperation, which his organization has received from all Bulgarian institutions. He underscored that the open doors before the UNHCR facilitate significantly its operation. Mathijs le Rutte also said that he is impressed with the work performed in the past few months in relation to integration.

Mathijs le Rutte noted that one of the main objectives during his service in Bulgaria will be to reduce the negative, xenophobic and anti-refugee attitudes to a minimum. Bulgaria has undertaken successful measures to fight this phenomenon, he noted adding that he appreciates highly the active work of all institutions in this respect. The country's fast progress is visible. However, Bulgaria's reactions and ability to cope in grave situations, such as the current one, are often underestimated, he commented.

In this context Mitov said that the Government has always condemned the language of hatred and all actions contradicting the laws, established in this country.

The two also discussed the situation in Turkey. They were unanimous that it is highly important to keep the stability in Turkey with a view to preserving the stability both in the region and the whole of Europe. Bulgaria's top diplomat stressed the EU role adding that the Union should keep on helping the countries that have given shelter to the highest number of refugees, Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. It was also noted that further efforts should be made to reduce the number of illegal border trespassers.