site.btaPM Comments on Migration Pressure, Russian Air Force Presence in Black Sea, Proposed Inflation-Control Measure

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov commented to journalists the migration pressure on this country's border, the Russian Air Force presence in the Black Sea, and an idea of Economy and Industry Minister Bogdan Bogdanov for containing consumer price inflation.

Migration Pressure

"Recent weeks have seen a reduction of border crossing attempts, and the pressure along this route has eased substantially. This is a serious argument in favour of Bulgaria's admission to Schengen at the forthcoming negotiations," Denkov pointed out. He commented on a statement by EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson that Bulgaria and Romania so far are showing "very promising, very good" results in managing migration and protecting the EU external border, which is "important for their entry in Schengen".

"We protect our borders and must protect them above all for the sake of Bulgarian citizens' security. I would like to congratulate the teams of the Interior Ministry, the Border Police and the military who have joined [the border management effort]. Very substantial progress has been made. A would like to single out the very good cooperation with Turkiye. We are taking joint actions that produce results. The migrants themselves are aware that this is the most difficult route and they should better avoid it," the head of government said. 

Russian Warplanes Patrolling Black Sea

Asked how the round-the-clock patrols over the Black Sea by Russian fighter jets armed with hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, ordered by President Vladimir Putin, changes the security environment for Bulgaria, Denkov replied that Russia has been trying to dominate the region for years.

"Back since the capture of Crimea, the Russian State and army have been trying to impose a naval and air supremacy in the Black Sea. These attempts have been made for a long time now. The way to oppose this is to improve the combat worthiness of our armed forces. This implies additional procurement of missiles, radars and everything that a modern army needs. On the other hand, full integration on NATO's eastern flank, with our neighbours, with the joint Allied command in Europe. That's the way to oppose this domination attempt," the Prime Minister stated.  

How to Keep Consumer Prices Down

Denkov also commented on an idea, advanced by Economy Minister Bogdanov, to ask retail chains, if they wish to do so, to cite the lowest possible price of particular products on a weekly basis. 

"Before making this measure public, the minister should have discussed it with the large retail chains. They realize that they must make an effort because they are interested in Bulgaria being part of the Schengen area and the eurozone. This would benefit economically both Bulgaria and these major economic operators in the country. They realize that reducing inflation is our common task so as to meet the eurozone criteria. On the other hand, we must build consumers' confidence in the shared efforts of the State and the large retail chains. It makes economic sense. Measures imposed by decree almost never produce results in the medium and long term. We'd rather try to find a constructive solution than impose restrictions by decree," the Prime Minister pointed out.