Migration pressure and cyber attacks are among the most serious threats to the security of Bulgaria. This is the opinion of the participants in the latest meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security at the presidency, dedicated to changes in the geostrategic environment and the resulting risks for Bulgaria. The heads of the National Intelligence Service and Military Information Service, as wells as the Minister of Interior and Minister of Foreign Affairs acquainted President of the National Assembly Tsetska Tsacheva, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and the heads of parliamentary groups with the current situation.

After five hours of discussions the council decided to adopt a plan for action in crisis situations. They could be caused by terrorist threats in Europe, radicalization of minorities in Bulgaria's neighbouring countries and increased migrant flows.

VMRO leader Krassimir Karakachanov voiced the following stand:

"The biggest challenge for national security are the waves of illegal migrants that have been flooding Europe. After some of the European countries take strict measures against the migrants’ flows, a great number of these ‘guests’ could end up in Bulgaria."

At the end of consultations, President Rosen Plevneliev said:

 "The most topical threat for this country, without underestimating all other risks, is the risk of continuation or increase in migration flows to and through Bulgaria. The situation would deteriorate as a result of the continuing inability of the European Union to effectively protect its external borders and to develop rules for the fair resolution of the migration issue and for helping find a permanent solution to the roots of the problem. The danger of terrorist attacks in Europe has been growing as a result of the increasing radicalization of social groups - especially in Western countries. This is a new but very serious problem for the countries in Europe. European citizens take part in the hostilities on the side of the Islamic State and other terrorist groups. They bring their experience and radical ideas to their home countries and increase further the threat of terrorism. In this respect it is important that Bulgarian institutions take preventive measures to stop the development of such processes in our country. "

"Bulgaria is a very small country to play a big role in the geopolitical processes in North Africa and the Middle East”, is the opinion of the head of the GERB parliamentary floor Tsvetan Tsvetanov. “But Bulgaria’s location is of geo-strategic importance and this creates concerns. The council aims to define potential threats in the coming months and years. It is clear that the conflict in the Middle East will not end in a few months and perhaps it would continue for years. That is why we also talked about good neighbourly relations.“ 

Politicians have decided that at European level, Bulgaria must insist on expanding the security zone of the EU.

"This could happen not by closing the borders of Europe but through expanding the security zone of the EU, which means expansion of the EU borders,” said MRF leader Lutfi Mestan after the council’s meeting. “I am referring to the issue of EU integration of the Western Balkans. We call on Bulgarian institutions to work actively for achieving a unified European position for expanding the security zone of the EU by enhancing the EU integration process of the Western Balkans, while taking into account the Bulgarian national interests and compliance with membership criteria. "

The weak link in Bulgaria’s security is fighting cyber terrorism, the conclusion of the council, presented by President Plevneliev, also reads.

"At the end of October, during the local election, we witnessed the largest ever cyber attack against Bulgaria. The fact that it took place on the days of elections and the referendum showed that it is a provocation and has a clear purpose. It demonstrates power in cyberspace that very few countries have, but also shows the vulnerability of Bulgaria. Attacks against the sites of a large number of government institutions hampered their work and are a clear indicator of the magnitude of the danger. This is a new threat, which needs thorough analysis and development of sufficiently effective counter measures, using the experience of partner security services. It is necessary to take urgent measures, including regulatory and institutional ones. It is necessary to provide an adequate answer to the great number of various and serious threats. We need to invest in security and defence. We could handle the challenges we face only together with our partners from democratic countries and through Bulgaria's membership in EU and NATO," President Plevneliev went on to say.

English: Alexander Markov