Joint Contingent Deployed to Guard Bulgarian-Turkish Border

A multinational border police contingent from Bulgaria, Austria, Romania, and Hungary has commenced operations at the Bulgarian-Turkish border. The agreement to form this unit was officially signed in Svilengrad by senior border security officials from the four nations, CE Report quotes BTA

The contingent, comprising 120 officers, aims to strengthen border security. Hungary’s Interior Minister Sandor Pinter emphasized that protecting external borders is crucial for securing internal borders. He also welcomed Romania and Bulgaria’s entry into the Schengen Area for land travel.

Romanian Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu highlighted the need for increased European funding and investment in technology for border security. He warned that organized migration facilitates drug and arms trafficking, posing significant challenges.

Austria’s Director-General for Public Safety, Franz Ruf, reiterated his country’s commitment to combating illegal migration and human trafficking. He described the agreement as a milestone in Austria-Bulgaria cooperation, emphasizing the high level of training and international experience of Austrian officers.

Bulgarian Border Police Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov assured that the primary responsibility for border security remains with Bulgarian authorities, supported by 1,500–1,600 border guards and military personnel. He noted that while current migrant pressure is low, an increase is expected in the summer.

Bulgarian Interior Minister Daniel Mitov stressed that securing the EU’s external border should not rest solely on frontline states. He acknowledged the steady decline in migrant pressure from Türkiye due to effective cooperation with Turkish authorities, affirming that border security remains a top priority.

The four nations will maintain close coordination and conduct professional analyses to ensure the effectiveness of the new contingent.