site.btaDeputy PM Buchvarova, Commissioner Avramopoulos Consider Common European Solutions Needed for Coping with Migrant Crisis

Deputy PM Buchvarova, Commissioner Avramopoulos Consider Common European Solutions Needed for Coping with Migrant Crisis

Sofia, February 11 (BTA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Roumyana Buchvarova and visiting here EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos discussed the migration crisis in Europe on Thursday. "We share the common conviction that in order to cope with the migration crisis at this moment, we should make joint efforts and find common European solutions," Buchvarova said at a news briefing after the meeting. Efforts at regional level cannot yield a result, she added.

Avramopoulos noted Bulgaria's efforts to support stability in Europe. The Commissioner said he will visit Bulgaria again next week. "The strengthening of our external borders is of exceptional importance. Bulgaria observes migrants' rights. Now the refugee flow via Bulgaria is limited but things can change. We hail the fact that Bulgaria has an action plan in case of an increase of the pressure," he noted.

Europe provided 91 million euro to Bulgaria in the area of home affairs in the 2014-2020 period, said Avramopoulos. The European Commission supports the countries from the region as well as Italy and Greece for the establishment of the so-called hot spots as this process goes hand in hand with the fight against organized crime. The human traffickers represent well organized criminal groups, which take advantage of people's despair. "We are working in close cooperation with the Bulgarian Government but it is necessary to intensify the exchange of investigative information and the investigation of criminal networks," the EU Commissioner said.

Buchvarova also said that Bulgaria has a full control of the border with Turkey and Greece although this is an external border for the EU operating under a different regime, which will not be changed. She explained that apart from exercising control over the entry of migrants in Bulgaria, they are also interviewed. Illegal migrants are detained both at the border and inside the country. 

Asked about the upcoming meeting of the Visegrad Four on February 15, which is about to be attended by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, and whether Bulgaria will close its border with Greece, if requested to do so, she replied that the decisions of a forum held at European level can be taken for reference but is not binding for Bulgaria. "At present this policy does not seem acceptable and does not correspond to our view for coping with the problem. We should support Greece because they are our partners and neighbours," she observed. 
 
Earlier in the day the Interior Ministry said that due to changes in Commissioner Avramopoulos' schedule, Buchvarova and he would not be able to visit the Bulgarian border at Elhovo.