site.btaInterior Minister Discusses Migration Issues with Romanian, Croatian Counterparts, Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum

Interior Minister Daniel Mitov met with his Romanian counterpart Catalin Predoiu, Croatian counterpart Davor Bozinovic and Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos in Brussels, the Bulgarian Interior Ministry said here on Wednesday. The four discussed the problem that NGOs claiming to help migrants are increasingly involved in smuggling activities.

The ministers exchanged information and views on the agenda of the forthcoming EU Justice and Home Affairs Council and agreed to continue meetings and discussions in this format.

"Attempts are being made to mislead the police with reports of repression or police violence. A clear distinction must be made between humanitarian action and supporting the trafficking of illegal migrants," Mitov said.

Participants at the meeting said the four countries, being part of the same region, share similar challenges.

A well-functioning return system is a basic prerequisite for sustainable migration management, Mitov noted.