site.btaIMRO Demands Closure of Open Migrant Centres

Harmanli, Southern Bulgaria, July 15 (BTA) - The nationalist Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO) of the power-sharing United Patriots coalition demands the closure of open migrant centres, like the one in Harmanli. There are few refugees accommodated in such centres and there is no reason to maintain such infrastructure, said here on Sunday MEP Angel Djambazki (European Conservatives and Reformists) during a visit to Harmanli migrant centre.

According to him, illegal migrants who are found and detained should be kept in closed facilities as close to the border as possible, after which they can be repatriated to their places of origin.

He and MP Aleksandar Sidi (United Patriots) arrived at the centre in Harmanli to investigate rumors about "airplanes carrying illegal migrants from Europe landing in Bulgaria".

Djambazki said that being part of the power-sharing coalition, IMRO would never allow the return of foreigners, who have crossed through Bulgaria and settled in Western Europe. According to him, this Government cannot afford to pay such a price.

The MEP noted that work will continue at the European Parliament to amend the Dublin Regulation, which is a threat for external EU Member States, such as Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Spain.