Interior ministers from Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkiye convened in Athens for a trilateral meeting focused primarily on border security. According to caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev, the discussions highlighted the necessity of unified efforts among the three nations to address shared security challenges. The ministers addressed common threats, including the illegal trafficking of migrants, drugs, and weapons.
A key concern discussed was the potential use of these trafficking routes for the infiltration of terrorist groups into Europe, alongside combating other forms of organized crime. Dechev noted a positive trend regarding border crossings, stating that the declining number of migrants is attributed to enhanced cooperation and concerted efforts to counter human trafficking. In terms of practical assistance, he reported that Greece is deploying teams to support Bulgaria at the Bulgarian-Turkish border.
Conversely, Bulgaria has assigned a Border Police vessel to assist Greek border police in maritime anti-trafficking operations. Furthermore, cooperation with Turkiye was emphasized, including an invitation for Turkish representatives to participate in a seminar aimed at improving the qualifications of border officers. Dechev confirmed that information exchange remains continuous among the three countries.
He also noted that the Bulgarian-Greek border has experienced no reported issues since Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area. To bolster national security, Bulgaria has invested in upgrading its Border Police capacity, acquiring modern equipment such as specialized vehicles for difficult terrain, new drones, and upgraded fence systems. Separately, the caretaker minister also met with the regional governor of Edirne to discuss issues of illegal migration and cross-border crime.
Topics: #ministers #bulgaria #turkiye
The trilateral discussion in Athens underscored the immediate need for coordinated border security strategies among Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkiye.