site.btaPrime Minister Zhelyazkov in Copenhagen: Attempted Crossings of Bulgarian-Turkish Border Down by 75%

"Bulgaria is guarding the European borders extremely well and successfully. Compared to 2024, attempted crossings of the Bulgarian-Turkish border have decreased by over 75%. In effect, we have no migratory flow that poses a threat to European security from illegal migration," said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in Copenhagen, where he is participating on Thursday in the European Political Community Summit, as quoted by the government press office.

The Prime Minister placed particular emphasis on efforts to combat human smuggling. "Their activity is, on one hand, a provocation to security and stability in Europe, and on the other hand, a crime," Zhelyazkov stressed.

He highlighted the importance of partnership and joint action in border protection with countries such as Austria, Romania, Greece, and others. Prime Minister Zhelyazkov also pointed out the role of regulatory frameworks, particularly in the areas of returns and readmission, as well as in the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

"Our efforts are focused on returning illegal migrants to their countries of origin," said the Prime Minister.
Zhelyazkov noted that these are precisely the policies that Bulgaria has consistently advocated for over the years, and that they are now being understood and supported by many EU member states.

"Europe's security depends not only on guarding borders with physical force, equipment, and technology, which we are heavily investing in, including through European funding, but also on sound policies that effectively stop all attempts at illegal migration into the continent," the Prime Minister concluded.