The head of the Border Police, Anton Zlatanov, presented data showing a notable 71% decrease in illegal migration across Bulgaria's borders during the first eight months of 2024 compared to the equivalent period in 2023. This information was shared during a meeting of the Management Board of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). In contrast, there has been a reported 24% increase in pressure along the Eastern Mediterranean route, a concerning trend highlighted by the Ministry of the Interior. Discussions during the meeting also touched upon the potential accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area by land.
Zlatanov, alongside the representative from Romania, emphasized the importance and necessity for Bulgaria and Romania to be admitted to the Schengen area via land, expressing a mutual understanding of the lack of valid professional reasons for the current situation to persist. In alignment with this goal, Frontex has planned to deploy an increased number of employees (165) from the permanent corps along the Bulgarian-Turkish border until the end of the operational year 2024. This deployment is part of the commitment made following a joint statement by Bulgaria, Austria, and Romania in December 2023. Looking ahead, there is a scheduled assessment set for January 2025 to evaluate the requirement for the continuation of this force presence in 2025, indicating ongoing efforts to manage and regulate border security effectively in the region.