Since the beginning of 2023, the number of illegal migrants entering Bulgaria has increased by more than a third as compared to the same period last year. In that respect, Bulgaria’s caretaker Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev announced in Parliament that the country is negotiating European funding to recruit more than 1,260 border police officers, in order to address the increased migratory pressure at the border and stop the redeployment of forces. 

Funding is also being negotiated for the purchase of vehicles and technical equipment to better guard the Bulgaria-Turkiye border, Minister Demerdzhiev further said.