BULGARIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER: EUROPE SHOULD CLEARLY DEFINE ITS ATTITUDE IN RESPECT OF ECONOMIC MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

In an interview for the BNT morning programme on 27th of August, Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister, Daniel Mitov, called for clear distinction between economic migrants and refugees. He said that the authorities should pay more attention to the country of origin of the asylum seekers and the economic migrants should be sent back.

He commented that the measures used so far to fight against Islamic State did not achieve the desired effect and therefore a new strategy was needed to deal with the problem.

According to Mitov, efforts have to be also focused on the causes for the increased migration flows.

The Foreign Minister assured that Bulgaria’s borders were secure. He underlined that the country would help neighbouring countries in dealing with the refugees problem.

Light armourd vehilcles and up to 25 soldiers have been deployed at the border with Macedonia to monitor for possible increase in migration influx. However, they do not have the right to detain crossing people.