Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev in Brussels: Migration pressure on Bulgaria-Türkiye border down by 70%

Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev in Brussels: Migration pressure on Bulgaria-Türkiye border down by 70%

17.10.2024

Currently, the situation at the border between Bulgaria and Türkiye is relatively calm compared to last year's turbulence. Migration pressure in the first nine months of 2024 is 70% below what it was in the same period of the previous year. The statement was made for media by Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev in Brussels where he attends the meeting of the Heads of State and Government for the European Council.

The Bulgarian position on illegal migration will be upheld at the European Council meeting. Dimitar Glavchev will report to his colleagues the trend of a decrease of attempts to cross the border illegally and an increase of detentions for illegal crossing. "This indicates a good performance. I think this will be recognized by colleagues from the European Council," the Prime Minister commented.

The issue of resettlement centers for migrants is yet to be discussed by the European leaders of the member states. Bulgaria's Prime Minister supports the idea and pointed out that Italy and Albania are the first example. In this context, Mr. Glavchev emphasized the key role of Bulgaria's good relations with Türkiye and noted that currently the cooperation with the authorities of Türkiye in border protection is very good.

Regarding the conflict in the Middle East, Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev said firmly that restraint and de-escalation are needed and that diplomatic instruments should be employed. The Prime Minister pointed out that Bulgaria is well positioned in the EU and the European Council formats owing to its predictable stands.

For the media Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev noted the strategic importance of the construction of Corridor 8 that was discussed at the Berlin Process Summit earlier this week in the capital of Germany. "Corridor 8 connects the West with the East: it starts in Italy, goes via Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia and Bulgaria, to Bourgas and Varna, where it intersects with the South-North Corridor that connects Greece, Bulgaria and Romania and that is of very high strategic importance. The importance of Corridor 8 is increasing more and more and no one has any doubt that it should materialize as soon as possible," Bulgaria's Prime Minister emphasized.