"As a candidate for membership in the Schengen Area Bulgaria strictly observes the requirements in terms of refugees," said Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov during a government meeting on Wednesday. The topics of refugees and border security were discussed, as well as the expected increase of migration pressure in early spring.

The refugee problem started a year and a half ago, recalled the Prime Minister and warned that in the spring the problem can become a threat to national security. Boyko Borissov said that officially in the country there were more than 7,000 refugees while detained illegal immigrants were 35,000.

The cabinet has never discussed the option of sending the army to the border, the Prime Minister said. "We have never discussed sending the military to the border. We've talked about possibilities to use logistic help from the army like trucks and drivers,” he said. The Prime Minister has calculated that some 95 million euro in addition to the regular budget will be needed. 25 million will be used for the construction of the temporary fence along the border, stopping the flow of illegal immigrants. "For this purpose we would need a new budget update, or would have to take money from other ministries. It is possible to make changes to the Law on Defence, in order to be able to use resources to help the Border Police," said Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. An agreement for the provision of trucks and drivers has been reached with the Minister of Defence.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Meglena Kuneva, currently 60 per cent of buildings used for accommodation of refugees are full. She reported that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food is ready for construction of forest roads, while the Ministry of Defence would provide equipment and buildings. "Bulgaria is actually able to meet the requirements for guarding the borders, as required by the Dublin Agreement, which is part of the Schengen laws. Despite the obstacles and migration pressure, this country is doing no worse than other Schengen members,” Meglena Kuneva said.

Interior Minister Veselin Vuchkov reported that in 2014 Bulgarian authorities detained 6023 people at the Bulgarian-Turkish border. In 2013 they were 11 524. The Turkish patrols detained 6004 people in 2014, while in 2013 the number was 3385. In 2014, 38,502 people attempted to enter the territory of Bulgaria - 2.3 times more than the number in 2013 when there were 16,736 attempts.

Deputy Prime Minister and Social Minister Ivaylo Kalfin warned that the country has no more capacity for welcoming illegal immigrants.

"The problem with refugees is not just a problem related to border security, but to social integration as well,” he said. According to him, the EU solidarity towards refugees "is not what we would like to see, because currently the countries with outer borders take the entire burden.”

The Prime Minister has called on President Rosen Plevneliev to convene the Council on Security, during which all parliamentary parties could discuss measures to deal with the refugee influx in the country.

English: Alexander Markov