Bulgarian lawmakers have definitely approved a bill under which the construction of any fence along Bulgaria's borders can be initiated without public procurement procedures.

The amendments to the Public Procurement Act, submitted by the nationalist Patriotic Front coalition which backs the government, were passed on a first reading in January.
 
The move comes as authorities are concerned over a possible surge in the inflow of Middle Eastern migrants into Bulgaria as temperatures are rising, and as a result of the closure of the so-called Western Balkans route that followed the controversial EU-Turkey deal signed in March.

Bulgaria is currently working toward the completion of a fence along the border with Turkey, but has not ruled out erecting one on the frontier with Greece if the number of irregular crossings from the country rises.