site.btaDeputy Foreign Minister Shekerletova Confers with Council of Europe Special Representative Kayacik

Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Elena Shekerletova on Wednesday held a meeting with the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe for Migration and Refugees, Leyla Kayacik, Shekerletova's Ministry said on its website. Kayacik and her team, who are paying a fact-finding visit to Bulgaria between September 11 and 15, held meetings with officials of the Bulgarian institutions competent in migration and refugees. 

Shekerletova stressed the importance Bulgaria attaches to cooperation with the Council of Europe, adding that this country adheres to the highest international standards in the field of refugee rights and honours its commitments to protect the external borders of the European Union.

Kayacik talked about the training opportunities offered by the Council of Europe for the implementation of the organization's recommendations on the protection of the rights of migrants and refugees.

The sides focused on the most vulnerable groups of refugees: women and children. Shekerletova briefed the Special Representative on the sustained efforts of the Bulgarian authorities in this regard. The sides share the view that active international cooperation, including with countries of origin and transit, is needed to tackle the challenges of migration and displacement.

Last week, the Council of Ministers adopted a decision approving payments to applicants under the Programme for Humanitarian Assistance to Displaced Persons from Ukraine who have been Granted Temporary Protection in Bulgaria.