site.btaInterior Minister, Italian Ambassador Discuss Common Challenges in Countering Illegal Migration

Bulgaria’s Interior Minister Daniel Mitov held a working meeting with Italian Ambassador to Bulgaria Giuseppina Zarra on Wednesday, the Interior Ministry said in a press release.

Mitov and Zarra agreed that both Bulgaria and Italy face common challenges in combating illegal migration and cross-border crime. The two sides emphasized the need to strengthen direct professional contacts and enhance coordination at all levels to ensure a more effective joint response to security challenges within the Schengen Area.

Border Police Director Anton Zlatanov, who also attended the meeting, shared details about specific cases where NGO representatives were found assisting illegal migrants in violation of Bulgarian law. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Border Police General Directorate to protecting Bulgaria’s state borders.

Mitov expressed gratitude for Italy’s consistent and firm support for Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen. He stressed that as close friends and partners within the EU, Bulgaria and Italy actively cooperate on internal affairs. Both sides reaffirmed their willingness to continue working together on all matters of mutual interest.