The migrant pressure on Bulgaria in 2024 has decreased by 70%, comparable to 2023. This was said in an interview with "Focus" by the Minister of Interior Atanas Ilkov.
"46% fewer migrants were detained who illegally crossed the Bulgarian-Turkish border inside the country. We cannot but consider this result as a success of the Ministry of Interior and not only the Ministry of Interior, but also of all other institutions that perform their functional duties on the Bulgarian-Turkish border. You know that "Frontex" is there, they have increased their presence three times. The colleagues from the Ministry of Defense, who are our exceptionally good partners and support our activities on the border with a lot of strength and resources, for which I take this opportunity to thank them for being our help and will continue to be our partner," said the Minister.
According to him, this is a result that cannot be ignored and which cannot be indicative that the Bulgarian authorities are managing to cope with this process.
"These are figures and data that we have presented at all forums and to our colleagues, ministers of interior from the European Union. On this basis, they have formed the decisions for our full membership in the Schengen area," Ilkov added.
He also announced that next week a trilateral meeting with the ministers of Turkey and Greece is coming up. The meeting will be in Istanbul. It will discuss again all measures on the Bulgarian-Turkish and Bulgarian-Greek borders, and in general the problems related to illegal migration, drug trafficking and any other cross-border crime that concerns the three countries. And not only the three countries, but also the entire Schengen area.
"I believe that we have proven the trust of our European partners, which we have built up to this point. And we will continue to build on it. And not only of our European partners, but also outside the European Union. We have proven indisputably that we are a reliable partner, and we will continue to work actively to counteract illegal migration and all crimes related to cross-border crime, Ilkov added.
According to him, everything that is happening on our border is speculation that is offensive to all employees who risk their lives and health on the Bulgarian-Turkish border to ensure security not only on the Bulgarian border, but also in the entire Schengen area. The reports and allegations about incidents with migrants that are being circulated in the media and the Internet are targeted.
"I categorically state that we have no data on violence against migrants by employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other employees who perform their functional duties at the border. There are interested parties in migrants crossing more freely through Bulgaria and the Bulgarian-Turkish border. "And in view of the actions we are taking and neutralizing certain criminal groups that are participating in this process, to some extent we are harming certain financial interests, which is a reason for us to be unfoundedly attacked," Atanas Ilkov explained.