Border Police: Migration pressure at Bulgarian-Turkish border decreased by two thirds

The migration pressure at the Bulgarian-Turkish border has decreased by more than two thirds as a result of strengthened border control measures, the Border Police reported on February 5.

Since the beginning of the year, until 31 January, 2024, there have been close to 1,980 attempts of third-country nationals to illegally cross the Bulgarian-Turkish border. This is 69% less compared to January last year, when there were about 6,380.

The reported decrease is the result of the measures taken by the “Border Police” Directorate General and the good cooperation with the Turkish authorities, the Ministry of Interior said.

Nearly 1,900 migrants have returned to the interior of Turkey on their own, after having detected the presence of Bulgarian patrols and posts along the border. It is possible that some of those who have returned to the neighbouring country have made more than one attempt to cross into Bulgaria.

According to information provided by the Bulgarian border patrols, the Turkish border authorities have detained 10 persons on the neighbouring territory. 75 irregular migrants were detained at the Bulgarian-Turkish border by Border Police officers. The largest number is of Afghan citizens - 35, Syrians - 14, Palestinians - 5.

The migration pressure at the Bulgarian-Greek border is less than 1% of the total migration pressure at the borders of the Republic of Bulgaria.

In January, 159 third-country nationals were detained at the Bulgarian-Serbian border exit, which is an increase of 54% compared to the same period last year. The largest number of all nationaltities were citizens from Afghanistan (45), followed by citizens from Syria (33), 27 from Morocco and 13 from Iraq.

A total of 53 third-country nationals were detained at the Bulgarian-Romanian border, which is an increase of 141% compared to the same period in 2023.

Among the violators at the exit of the Bulgarian-Romanian border, the highest number are citizens of Syria (51). Half of them were apprehended at the green border and the rest were hidden in trucks.