site.btaIMRO: Bulgaria Should Completely Close Border with Turkey

IMRO: Bulgaria Should Completely Close Border with Turkey

Sofia, August 2 (BTA) - Bulgaria should close its border with Turkey completely and stop admitting any migrants, the IMRO party said in a press release Tuesday. The statement came as a reaction to a warning by Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that if the EU does not deliver visa-free travel for Turks, Ankara may stop implementing its agreement with the EU to stem the migrant flow into Europe.

The IMRO urged immediate completion of the fence and beefing up of personnel along the border.

IMRO leader Krassimir Karakachanov called on the Bulgarian authorities to take three urgent steps. First, the Foreign Minister should summon Turkish Ambassador Suleyman Gokce for an explanation and should present a note of protest concerning what Karakachanov considers unacceptable statements which pose a threat to Bulgaria's security. Second, the government should show it is ready to react if large numbers of migrants start leaving Turkey for Bulgaria by allowing the Border Police and the Armed Forces to use force to stop uncontrolled masses of illegal migrants from entering this country and destroying the border facilities. Third, Karakachanov called on the government to ask the EU and NATO for personnel and technical assistance to stop a new influx of migrants.

He also called on the EU to give a clear answer on the matter.