We want additional funds to deal with refugee flows –

/ world today news/ “We will ask for additional funds to deal with refugee flows, because we will receive only 10 million from the asylum fund for next year. euros that will not reach”.

This was stated to the media by the MEP and member of the IB of the National Assembly of the BSP Iliana Yotova. She explained that in two weeks the EC will provide a first package of documents, which will have to represent the new European policy regarding migration and asylum. Yotova added that more attention and funds from the EU are directed to the Mediterranean. However, she emphasized that the problems along our land border with Turkey are no less. For this reason, on 25.03 and 26.03.2015 a seminar on “The issue of migration and refugees – from European strategies to challenges for national and local authorities” will be held in Harmanli. Yotova explained that the event was organized by Atanas Merdzhanov as a representative of the Bulgarian Committee on Internal Security and she, in her capacity as Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Internal Security in the EP. The event will be attended by MEPs, representatives of Europol and Interpol, as well as representatives of the European Asylum Service. On the Bulgarian side, representatives of the executive power, mayors, and municipal councilors will take part. Yotova explained that during the visit, the guests will be shown not only the reception points in Elhovo, but also the center in Harmanli.

Yotova stressed that the information about new waves of refugees should not be underestimated and that Bulgaria should be treated equally with all other countries such as Italy, Spain, Malta, Greece. She explained that foreign partners will be asked several basic questions. She was the first to mention the subject of quotas. “Small countries like Malta and Bulgaria cannot bear the brunt of the refugee flows,” commented the socialist. She stated that criteria for determining the quotas will also be proposed, the main one being the GDP of each of the countries. As another highlight, Yotova indicated the request for a change in the legislation – that certain countries can return refugees to the country that first accepted them. Thirdly, the MEP pointed to the issue of the construction of the fence on our border with Turkey. “This is a facility that is not there to prevent people fleeing war, but to channel the process. It is not only about the internal security of Bulgaria, but also of the entire EU”, explained Yotova from the left.