Bulgaria calls for urgent solution to refugee crisis

Three Bulgarian deputy prime ministers on Tuesday urged the European Union to quickly find an effective solution to the refugee crisis amid mounting pressure.

Bulgaria is located on the most direct route to refugee flows from Turkey to Central Europe, but "we manage to prevent uncontrolled flows of people, despite fourfold increase of pressure on our borders this year," Rumiana Bachvarova said at a joint press conference.

However, the attempts to find a well-functioning European solution have not given satisfactory results, and the search for new, effective solutions should be accelerated, she said.

Bulgaria's position is that Europe needs a clear and firm common policy, which reflects the common solidarity and takes into account all aspects of the current situation and specifics in the different countries, Bachvarova said.

There are 28 different policies on migration and refugees in the EU, and this cannot continue, Meglena Kuneva said.

The admission of refugees should be a common European policy related including with their right of movement within the EU, Ivailo Kalfin added.

In June, the Bulgarian government adopted a five-year national strategy on migration, asylum and integration, taking into account the changed situation after the refugee crisis.

According to the strategy, by 2020, Bulgaria hopes to develop an asylum system corresponding to the growing number of applicants for international protection, turn migration and mobility into positive factors for economic and demographic development, and effectively combat illegal migration and human trafficking, the cabinet said. Endit