site.btaBulgaria Expects Additional EUR 400 Mln in EU Support for Migration - Interior Minister

Bulgaria Expects Additional EUR 400 Mln in EU Support for Migration - Interior Minister

Brussels, May 18 (BTA Correspondent Nikolay Zheliyazkov) - Interior Minister Valentin Radev said Bulgaria expects from the EU additional 400 million euro in support for migration over the next ten years. He is in Brussels to attend an EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting.

The meeting will discuss the implementation of the principles of responsibility and solidarity, and the fight against serious and organized crime.

The EU ministers responsible for home affairs and development will also hold a working discussion on the external dimensions of migration.

Meeting EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, Radev requested to extend the time period within which the country should absorb the 160 million euro extended for the same purpose.

Commenting on the discussed changes of the Dublin Regulation under which the migrants should be returned to the first country of entry into the EU, Radev urged for fair attitude to the countries, where the migrants arrive. This is applicable to Greece and Italy and, possibly, partially to France, he observed. However, he complained that the issue is not met with understanding by the other countries. The Minister noted that Bulgaria will make efforts to reach an acceptable solution of the problem during its Presidency of the EU Council.

"We virtually have a Sword of Damocles hanging above us: we depend on the developments of Turkey, which has 2.5 million migrants," the Interior Minister continued. Bulgarian borders are well guarded but if there is a major influx of people, the danger will be imminent, he commented.