Nikola Kazakov, Chair of the State Agency for Refugees, has commented on the benefits for Bulgaria from the agreement with the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, adding that similar documents were to be signed with Greece and Romania.

In a Sunday interview for the Bulgarian National Radio Kazakov made clear that the agreement signed between the Bulgarian and the German units would allow Bulgaria to obtain full and objective information about the country of origin, about the increased migratory pressure in countries of origin, and the projected developments in migratory pressure levels over the next 5-6 years.

He suggested that Bulgaria could also take advantage of the advice of German experts in the field.

Regarding a comparison between the activities of Germany and Bulgaria in the sphere, he said that Germany was building 20 centers, while Bulgaria had provided money for one mobile unit with 400 places, and that Germany was appointing 1000 new employees by end-August, compared to Bulgaria’s plan for 100 new employees.

Kazakov informed that the problems with food deliveries for refugee centers had been solved.

He explained that the 14-day appeal period for the food delivery public procurement was underway, adding that the Agency was ready to ask for preliminary execution of the decision after the 14-day period.

Kazakov noted that the Bulgarian Red Cross had provided sanitary items.

He made clear that the authorities had secured funding, sanitary items, and consumables for the opening of 3 new medical offices, including 2 at the refugee center in Harmanli, and 1 in Sofia.

Kazakov suggested that EU leaders would reach a unanimous decision on refugee quotas on July 20.

He argued that Bulgaria’s quota was likely to be downsized from the current rate of 788, including some 530 refugees to be resettled from Greece and Italy.

Kazakov also suggested that the domestic situation in Greece would give rise to the perception of strong migratory pressure.