/ world today news/ There are fears in Bulgaria that migrants will be accepted because there is no trust in the rulers. There is a devaluation of words. Prime Minister Denkov talks about full membership in Schengen, and we are not accepted by land; Defense Minister Tagarev mentions that he is negotiating the conditions for the deployment of American troops in Bulgaria without public discussion or debates in the National Assembly, at least in the Defense Committee, he talks about changing facts in the history books… Because of this mistrust, any information can easily be relegated to the field of political guesswork.
This was commented by Elena Yoncheva, MEP from the group of socialists and democrats, in an interview with Darik radio. She was categorical that according to the tripartite statement between Bulgaria, Romania and Austria, Bulgaria is not obliged to accept thousands of migrants, as it is based on the current Dublin Regulation. Similar debates started after publications in Austrian media and statements by members of the government in Vienna related to the negotiations on Bulgaria’s inclusion in Schengen appeared. For more clarity, already on the first working day of the year, I sent a letter to the Minister of the Interior of Austria, Gerhard Karner, the MEP reported.
According to the Dublin Regulation, Bulgaria’s liability period is one year. Countries like Austria have six months to find and send back only those migrants who are registered to enter the EU in our country. It can’t be thousands. During this time, some of them appealed, others left Austria. Within a year, Bulgaria has taken 113 people from there, explained Elena Yoncheva. She noted the latest Frontex statistics, which show that in the EU, the migrant pressure in 2023 is measured at about 380,000 people – who have made unregulated attempts to enter the union.
But what is disturbing is that for 2023 the traffic through the Balkan route has increased by 110%, she said. The main part is through the Western Balkans, not through Bulgaria. Bulgaria is the least guilty, if we can talk about guilt, and this should be said in the negotiations with Austria, commented Elena Yoncheva.
She said that the joint statement with Austria, in which additional conditions were placed on Bulgaria and Romania, including the strengthening of border controls between the two countries, in order to start negotiations on setting a date for Schengen and land membership, was not legally binding. Under European law, a “statement” is not mandatory. This does not mean that Bulgaria will not comply with it, because we want to have a green light for the land borders as well, said the MEP. And he repeated – Bulgaria is not obliged to accept thousands of migrants, according to the signed agreements. But if any government decides to do so, disregarding the national interest, there is nothing stopping it.
Elena Yoncheva also commented on the new EU Migration Pact. She chairs the team that leads negotiations between the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council on the entire legislative package related to migration and asylum. On 20 December 2023, after ten years of disputes and discussions, an agreement was reached on the nine pieces of legislation that are part of it.
The Pact will replace the current Dublin Regulation. It is unfair to us and the other countries on the borders of the EU. We cannot be responsible for our geographical location, said Elena Yoncheva.
One of the most important changes is the introduction of the principle of solidarity – when there is migrant pressure on an EU country, the others are obliged to accept a minimum of 30,000 people per year. In case of crisis – there is no limit on the number. The alternatives are to allocate sums for the host countries – at least 600 million euros or to send experts to help, she explained.
The MEP also pointed out some of the new rules – there will be thorough checks on illegal migrants. There will be an expedited return procedure to third countries for people who are suspected of being a security threat. Criteria are introduced for determining the so-called responsible EU countries where asylum seekers’ documents will be considered – based on whether they have family ties or have studied there, e.g.
In order to introduce these rules, at the insistence of the Council, it will take about 24 months, although we in the European Parliament proposed a shorter period, said Elena Yoncheva. During this time, the member states, including Bulgaria and other frontline countries, will receive funding within 2 billion euros to be able to create conditions for the implementation of the new legislation on migration and asylum.
To contact the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the EP:
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