site.btaFoiled Border Trespassing Attempts Far Exceed Migrant Arrests in Bulgaria's Interior

The migratory pressure on Bulgaria is much higher than last year, but the number of foiled border trespassing attempts over the last month far exceeded migrant arrests in the country's interior, Kalin Stoyanov, Minister of Interior, told journalists in Elhovo on Saturday. Stoyanov said the new leadership of his ministry is already beginning to attain its goals.

The last 24 hours have seen 980 thwarted attempts at illegal entry to Bulgaria and 40 arrests of illegal migrants in the country's interior, according to the minister. He noted that on some days border pushbacks reach 1,400 to 1,500.

Discussing the availability of equipment and weapons for the purposes of border protection, he pointed to a "dire need" for offroad vehicles and special equipment. He expects 160 offroad vehicles to be supplied early next year.

The border police has 700 job vacancies, Stoyanov said. "We have started all necessary procedures as we try to recruit more staff as quickly as possible to beef up border protection," he noted.

Stoyanov stressed that Bulgaria's entry to the Schengen free movement area is a priority of the government. "We have the support of absolutely all member states. Bulgaria and Romania should not become hostage to domestic political strife in two of the member states and be kept out of Schengen."

The interior minister was in Elhovo to unveil a monument to border police officers who have died in the line of duty. Interior Ministry Secretary General Zhivko Kotsev and Border Police Director Anton Zlatanov also attended the ceremony.