The international community should focus on the prime causes for the unprecedented migration wave towards Europe. This was the position shared by President Rosen Plevneliev and International Organization for Migration Deputy Director General Laura Thompson, who held talks at 2 Dondukov street today. The two were unanimous that putting an end to the violence in Syria, as well as restoring political stability and improving the socioeconomic environment in the Middle East and North Africa, lie at the basis of coming up with long-term sustainable solutions.
Thompson voiced her gratitude to the Bulgarian institutions for their efforts to improve the accommodation and integration conditions of asylum seekers in our country. Tomorrow an agreement between the Interior Ministry and the International Organization for Migration will be signed, whereby a two-year cooperation program between the two institutions will be adopted.
Bulgaria will continue to responsibly fulfill its commitments on protecting its national and external EU borders, while closely interacting with European partner institutions and friendly neighbouring countries, Plevneliev further said. Rosen Plevneliev was adamant that the increased migration pressure on the external EU borders is a common European problem and a long-lasting phenomenon, which requires showing solidarity and taking joint measures.
“Unfortunately Bulgaria remains one of the few EU Member States which strictly observes the European regulations by continuing to register all migrants entering the country,” the President further said.
The competent Bulgarian institutions are conducting an independent investigation of the tragic incident, in which a migrant lost his life near the town of Sredets, the Head of State assured. The President added that Bulgaria has always displayed a humane and tolerant attitude towards asylum seekers, no matter which region or country they come from. “The peaceful coexistence of people of different religions and cultures is part of the Bulgarian people's and this country's traditions,” Rosen Plevneliev emphasized.
The President assured that Bulgaria is taking stronger measures against the illegal trafficking of people and proposals for legislative amendments which envisage harsher punishment for the traffickers have already been submitted to the National Assembly.