site.btaBulgaria, Germany to Cooperate in Counteracting Illegal Migraion, People Smuggling

Bulgaria, Germany to Cooperate in Counteracting Illegal Migraion, People Smuggling

Berlin/Sofia, August 26 (BTA) - Bulgarian Interior Minister Roumyana Buchvarova and the Chairman of the Interior Committee of the German Bundestag, Ansgar Heveling, discussed the European policies on migration and security during a working meeting between the two in the German Bundestag, Buchvarova's Ministry said in a press release Friday.

Buchravova paid a working visit to Berlin.

The talks focused on anti-terrorism, national and EU legislation.

Buchvarova said she followed the discussions on this in Germany as well as in other EU member states, noting that the most important thing is achieving a balance between security and human rights and freedoms. Buchvarova familiarized her host with the current situation at Bulgaria's borders with Turkey, Serbia, and Greece. Also discussed was the cooperation with neighbouring countries and the joint operations within Frontex.

Heveling assessed in positive terms Bulgaria's efforts in protecting the EU external borders.

Buchvarova then was acquainted with the work of the German Federal Police's strategic and analytical centre for countering illegal migration. The Bulgarian Interior Minister and the head of the centre agreed that cooperation will be launched between the centre and a similar structure against illegal migration and smuggling of humans with the Bulgarian Interior Ministry which is being set up.

Buchvarova also conferred with Gerhard Wahlers, Deputy Secretary General of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The two discussed the European policies on migration and security, and the current situation on the Balkans.