site.btaGovernment Adopts 2025 National Plan for Border Protection Capabilities and Return of Illegally Staying Third-country Nationals

The Council of Ministers adopted a Decision on the approval of the 2025 National Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria for the development of border protection capabilities and the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the country, and the approval of the Report on the implementation of the 2024 National Plan, the Government Information Service said on Thursday.

The document is in compliance with Article 9(4) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1052/2013 and (EU) 2016/1624, and was adopted by the National Council on Migration, Borders, Integration.

The Report on the 2024 National Plan presents Bulgaria’s efforts to better integrated border management, ensuring united Europe's secure and safe external borders, reflecting the overall situation and activities carried out in 2024 to protect the integrity of the country's national borders.

The 2025 National Plan provides for specific activities and measures to implement effective border control, improve cooperation with third countries in order to reduce migration pressure, and enhance information system interoperability. Emphasis is placed on the country's preparedness to deal with hybrid threats, including the use of migration as a tool for exerting pressure. The plan is based on strategic scenarios and risk analysis reflecting global challenges.