President Radev meets Cyprus' Interior Minister

President Rumen Radev discussed the mechanisms for protecting the external borders of the European Union and preventing the illegal trafficking of migrants with the Minister of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Nouris, during a meeting today at the Presidency. Mr Nouris is visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Rashkov. The Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Bulgaria, Marios Savva Kountourides, also took part in the talks.

Since the end of last year, both Bulgaria and Cyprus had been facing an increase in migration flows, it was pointed out during the meeting. Cyprus has noted a rise in illegal immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa, with the numbers now exceeding that of the ones coming from the Middle East. Bulgaria has detected nearly 16,000 attempted border crossings, mainly of Afghan nationals, more than three times as many as in the same period of last year.

During the meeting, Rumen Radev and Nikos Nouris said that, as the EU's external borders, the two countries are responsible for controlling those entering Europe, and more effective solidarity in European policies is needed to prevent a repeat of the 2016-2017 migrant crisis. Strengthening reliable border control mechanisms and enhancing security capabilities are important for the security of not only the region, but of the whole of Europe, was the common position of President Radev and Minister Nouris. To this end, the EU needs to find the right balance between responsibility and solidarity, taking into account the concerns of the countries at the external borders of the Union and the peculiarities of each country, the Bulgarian Head of State said. Return mechanisms for illegal entry into the EU were also discussed during the meeting.

Bulgaria and Cyprus also share the common position that the countries hosting Ukrainian refugees should be adequately supported by the European Commission.

Cyprus supports Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area, the Cypriot interior minister said at the meeting.