site.bta Interior Minister Buchvarova Discusses Migration Processes, Security Environment with Greek Public Order Minister Toskas

Interior Minister Buchvarova Discusses Migration Processes, Security Environmentwith Greek Public Order Minister Toskas

Sofia, August 30 (BTA) - Bulgaria's Interior Minister Roumyana Buchvarova and Greece's Alternate Minister of Public Order and Citizen Protection Nikos Taskos discussed migration processes and the security environment at a working meeting in Sofia, Buchvarova's Ministry said in a press release on Tuesday.

The two considered the formation of joint patrols for the suppression of illegal migration, human trafficking  and crime in the areas along the Bulgarian-Greek border. The host stressed Bulgaria's position that EU-level negotiations must start immediately on working out the steps necessary for the implementation of the EU-Turkey Readmission Agreement. "Setting the readmission mechanisms in motion is crucial," she pointed out.

The ministers discussed measures for a further enhancement of bilateral cooperation in security and law enforcement. An additional increase of early information exchange on possible new trends and preparations for attempted illegal border crossings, the operation of the joint contact centre at the Promachonas Border Checkpoint, and the forthcoming start of operation of a trilateral centre for police and customs cooperation between Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey at the Kapitan Andreevo Border Checkpoint topped the agenda, along with joint border-monitoring patrolling. The two also considered opportunities for exercise of control and boosting cooperation in counterterrorism.