site.btaPM: Bulgarian and Greek Authorities Demonstrated Fastest Readmission in Europe

PM: Bulgarian and Greek Authorities Demonstrated Fastest Readmission in Europe

Blagoevgrad, May 29 (BTA) - The Bulgarian and Greek authorities demonstrated the fastest readmission of illegal migrants in Europe, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Sunday in Blagoevgrad emerging from a meeting, prompted by the illegal crossing of migrants from Greece into Bulgaria.

Participating in the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Roumyana Buchvarova, Chief Commissioner Antonio Angelov, Director of the Border Police Chief Directorate, Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Ivanov, Commander of the Military Unit in Blagoevgrad, Blagoevgrad Regional Governor Bisser Mihailov and mayors from the region.

A group of 56 migrants, who attempted to cross into Bulgaria by a cargo train, were returned to Greece in less than 24 hour, the Prime Minister said.

Another group of 40 migrants will probably be returned in a week because proceedings have been opened and the judicial procedure has to be fulfilled. The migrants will be temporarily accommodated in the Lyubimets refugee centre. Borissov voiced hope that the traffickers will be detained with the help of the Greek authorities.

Borissov praised the coordinated actions of the police and the army in the recent days. "We have always been strict and firm but we have also demonstrated humane attitude to people in trouble," he stated adding that the Bulgarian authorities have undertaken actions to provide everything necessary for the migrant groups, including small children.

Borissov said that 130 km of the fence along the border is ready and the picture has radically changed in a year.

The Prime Minister thanked the Greek authorities for the good interaction and Deputy Prime Minister Buchvarova noted that she is in close communication with the Greek Interior Minister.