site.btaPM Borissov: Bulgaria Is Handling Migration Crisis Well

PM Borissov: Bulgaria Is Handling Migration Crisis Well

Sofia, April 14 (BTA) - Approached by journalists on Thursday, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that Bulgaria is handling the migration crisis well, regardless of how others are "trying to say that we are not handling it because of three or ten migrants".

"Given the Government's organization, we will not allow such a refugee wave and this obviously is a problem, and they are looking for the most effective way to 'shake' us with accusations of infringement on human rights, on the freedom of speech, on who knows what, which is sold quite well to the West," Borissov commented.

Asked about the events in Greece and Macedonia in relation to migrants, the Prime Minister said he is extremely worried. He said that Macedonia is one of the countries which has made great efforts to stop the refugee wave, and added that the Macedonian President had presented a letter to the European Council about a very solid preparation for attacks at the Macedonian borders by organized groups. "This indeed happened: they were provoked, tear gas was used - something of which the democratic community disapproves, they were subjected to pressure, and what happened yesterday [Wednesday] will continue today, and it will last longer," Borissov said, adding that Macedonia will be destabilized for a long time and even the elections in the country might not take place at all.

In Borissov's words, the same plan is somewhat working in Bulgaria. "What has happened over the last week in Bulgaria: suddenly some civil organizations appeared here and there, and spontaneously detained various refugees. Even one of the cases was covered by a participant on national television," Borissov said. He was referring to videos of several recent detentions of illegal border crossers by vigilante groups near Bulgaria's border with Turkey, which were uploaded on the Internet and then shown on TV. He went on to say that afterwards this was "very well interpreted" by Al Jazeera, and other organizations started commenting "as if Bulgaria is treating refugees in a very cruel manner and as if there are some kind of paramilitary formations which are attacking them in a scandalous way".

In relation to the refugee wave, Borissov said that he has instructed Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev and Interior Minister Roumyana Buchvarova to go to Ivaylovgrad and once again check the Bulgarian-Greek border's protection on site.

Earlier on Thursday, the Interior Ministry said that, as a preventive measure, military formations are being prepared and relocated to the borders with Turkey and Greece for joint protection tasks with the Border Police teams.

The joint teams will be sent to specific sections of the border depending on the operational need.

The temporary measures are directed at countering an eventual increase in migration pressure, the press release reads.