Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) The European Commission has started a pilot project with Bulgaria aimed at tightening border control and speeding up deportation procedures.
In a statement released on Monday, the EC pointed out that the EU faces migration challenges that require coordinated and comprehensive solutions, stressing the importance of working together to address the challenges in a sustainable manner.
The Commission reminded that it proposed ways to strengthen border control in a letter in January, while the EU Council proposed reforms in February in the area of asylum, deportation, and border protection.
Pilot projects are one of the tools for implementing solutions, which the EC is launching with interested bloc members to speed up asylum and deportation processes.
Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, noted “today I can announce that we are launching, with Bulgaria, a second pilot project on improved migration management.”
“I will mean fast asylum procedures, more effective returns, and increased border protection,” she added and thanked Bulgarian authorities “for their valuable contribution to our common efforts… it is a testament to the European commitment to managing migration together.”
Coordinated response
Ivan Demerdzhiev, Bulgarian Minister of Interior, described the pilot project as “an opportunity to join efforts and respond in a coordinated manner to current migratory challenges.”
He expressed the belief that plans to speed up asylum and deportation procedures “will contribute to enhancing security in the EU and its member states,” adding that the pilot project builds on Bulgaria’s cooperation with bloc members and institutions.
“I wish to thank the Commission for their continuous support to Bulgaria and the readiness to provide additional funding for border protection,” Demerdzhiev noted and concluded, “at the end, I am convinced that we will come up with tangible results and lessons learned that will translate into more effective migration management at EU level.”
As part of the project, Bulgaria will strengthen its border with Turkey and deploy advanced surveillance measures there, with the EC pointing out that it is assessing financial support needs with Bulgarian authorities.
The Commission concluded that the pilot project is in line with national and EU rules, and will be implemented with technical and operational support from EU bodies and institutions.
