site.btaBulgaria Insists on Common European Policy on Refugee Issue

Bulgaria Insists on Common European Policy on Refugee Issue

Sofia, September 8 (BTA) - "There should be a clear and categorical European policy on the refugee issue, one that reflects our common European solidarity. We will insist that it take into consideration all aspects of the current situation and the peculiarities of each country," Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Roumyana Buchvarova said Tuesday. She emerged from a meeting at which Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, the Deputy Prime Ministers, the Foreign Minister and the Finance Minister discussed the principles of BulgariaТs position on the decisions expected by the EU about the rising number of immigrants to Europe.

Bulgaria will insist on alignment of national legislations in EU for far severer penalties for human traffickers and a common European prosecution. A specialized unit is being established by the Interior Ministry and the prosecution service to prioritize investigation of the organisers of such network.

"Bulgaria welcomes the efforts to update the measures for dealing with migrant flows and the new common European policy regarding the distribution and acceptance of refugees. It shares the opinion that, in the first place, continuing efforts should be made to find a solution to the crises in the countries which generate migrant flows," the position of the Bulgarian Government says. "The EU should find a solution that will lead to ending the conflicts which threaten the life of these countries' citizens. Bulgaria backs the idea of establishing registration centres, not only in Greece and Italy, but first and foremost in the territory of the countries of origin or those around them. The solution of the problem should be sought as near as possible to the place where it has originated," Buchvarova said. Bulgaria will insist on an amendment of the Dublin Regulation to introduce standard applications for international asylum or discussion of common refugee status valid throughout the EU. Bulgaria considers it necessary to see an urgent list of countries of origin and an active and effective policy of return. "Admittedly, the attempts to find a well working solution have not been productive enough so far," the Deputy PM said.

The search for new and effective solutions should be accelerated, which is why Bulgaria welcomes the convening of extraordinary councils of ministers on the problem.

Bulgaria has already declared it will accept 500 new refugees, Buchvarova recalled, adding that this country understands the need for an increase of this number, while also acknowledging the application of the common principle to all countries. "It is important that this principle correspond to the countries' capacity to ensure the common European standards for the acceptance of all refugees," she said.

"The Government is considering the possibilities for integration of these people and it thinks that when the right conditions are in place their return should also be arranged," Buchvarova went on to say. "Bulgaria is meeting the largest challenge facing Europe with the responsibility and the burden of guarding its external borders. The country follows all standards of acceptance, and the results it has achieved so far are impressive, against the backdrop of migration processes in Europe. And that in spite of the fact that Bulgaria lies on refugees' most direct route from Turkey to Central Europe, as well as the fourfold increase of refugee pressure since the beginning of the year, this country has succeeded in not allowing uncontrolled flows of people," the Interior Minister said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivaylo Kalfin also expressed the opinion that the Dublin agreements are not working and that they should be reconsidered. "As a border State, Bulgaria has upheld the now apparently right solution that the EU and its members should bear the burden of the refugee crisis together," Kalfin said.

"The refugees who come to Europe should meet much stricter criteria. We are bound to accept those who have lost their homes because of war or terrorism and international law obliges us to accept them. At the same time, economic migrants who simply want to move to richer countries cannot be accepted with a priority in such a situation," Kalfin said.

Deputy Prime Minister Meglena Kuneva, for her part, said she had conferred with her Romanian counterpart today in connection with Schengen. Both Bulgaria and Romania have declared their technical capacity in support of Schengen, and, although there have been recent statements referring to renationalization of border controls, neither Bulgaria nor Romania share such an approach.

According to Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov, what is being treated are the consequences, while much more serious attention should be paid to the quick resolution of the conflicts in the territories generating large refugee flows. This dialogue has already started and, in MitovТs words, "Bulgaria is one of the most active champions of the position that the sooner the problem with the so-called Islamic State is dealt with, the better, and that the countries on the Middle East should shoulder greater responsibility. Diplomatic steps are being taken in this direction," Mitov said.

Mitov said refugee status does not ensure indefinite residence in the EU. "When the conflicts are resolved, these people will have to return to the countries they came from. Bulgaria insists that more refugee camps should be organized with appropriate conditions in third countries, guaranteeing the life and survival of the people. The readmission agreements should also be kept."

Socialist Party: Government continues to underestimate refugee problem

"The Government is continuing to underestimate the refugee problem in Bulgaria," Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) Spokesman Atanas Merdzhanov said in a press release. The partyТs reaction followed the earlier Government statement on the refugee crisis.

"After a special meeting the Prime Minister did not even appear to make a statement. Maybe because no decisions were made," the press release said.

"At its special briefing, the Government welcomed the new programme of the European Commission, according to which over 2,000 refugees from other EU Member States will come to Bulgaria. This position does not take into account the fact that Bulgaria is a border country and the refugee flow here is not expected to stop," the press release says.