site.btaPresident Radev: Bulgaria Cannot Cope Alone with Sudden Massive Migrant Pressure on Land Border

October 16 (BTA) - President Rumen Radev said Bulgaria has no capacity to cope alone with sudden massive migrant pressure on its land border and should use every possible EU mechanism. Radev, a former Air Force commander, was answering a question at the marking of the Day of Aviation and the Bulgarian Air Force on Wednesday.

The President said the security services assured him after the meeting of the government's Security Council on Tuesday that there is no direct threat to national security and that they closely follow the situation.

Radev reiterated that Bulgaria needs a joint EU action plan in case of a sharp increase in migrant pressure on its border. "It should be clear which Member State contributes what and where, so that we will not be left alone and this pressure can be stopped from turning into a security crisis and a humanitarian catastrophe," he said.

Radev recalled that he submitted a written request for such an action plan to the EU Council in April 2017. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov assured him on Tuesday that the matter would be raised again with the EU Council.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov told reporters that "Bulgaria's position on possible EU sanctions against Turkey over its actions in Syria should be balanced, but also very firm at the border".

He reiterated the Prime Minister's statement on Tuesday that Bulgaria wants fighting in Syria to end so as to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.

Asked if the army is in a position to protect the border in case of migrant pressure, the Deputy PM said the army is ready to help the border police. "I hope that along with the police and with the public's support, we will succeed," he said.

Karakachanov said he would not expect the EU to take a very firm position on Turkey, given the Union's numerous economic interests and investments, which will not be put at risk.

"There is no point in us being the pioneer in such European positions because this is again a matter of interests," said Karakachanov. "Countries big and small have their own interests and each country defends them. If we wait for someone else to solve our problems and guard our border - God help us."

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the real risk in the Syria conflict does not lie so much in its potential to trigger a migrant wave. If more than 150,000 Islamic State fighters and their families in camps guarded by Kurds are released, they may join groups of refugees and head for Europe or resume fighting against Syria, so that the conflict may escalate again.