Bulgarian Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova and her Austrian counterpart Wolfgang Sobotka discussed the state of bilateral cooperation in countering illegal migration and smuggling.

During the meeting, the interior ministers highlighted that the situation in Europe necessitates the search for new common solutions.

Sobotka backed the Bulgarian stance that the dialogue with Turkey should be continued, the interior ministry informs.

Bachvarova stated that it is necessary to equally share the burden of caring for migrants granted refugee status.

They also discussed the challenges in applying the mechanisms for relocation as well as the opportunity to set up centres for registration of asylum seekers situated in proximity to or in the countries of origin.

The director of Austria’s Federal Criminal Police Office, General Franz Lang, who also participated in the meeting, assessed positively the establishment of specialized centre on countering illegal migration and smuggling within Bulgaria’s interior ministry and expressed readiness for partnership.

During her working visit to Austria, which was on Sobotka’s invitation, Bachvarova participated in a working meeting between Bulgaria, Austria and the Deputy Executive Director of Frontex, Berndt Koerner.

Bachvarova and Korner discussed the possibility for the deployment of additional 100 guest-officers of Frontex to Bulgaria.

They also clarified the possibilities for using resources of Frontex in the return of people to their countries of origin. For example, when planning flights from other European countries, Sofia can be included on the route to the country of origin.

Bachvarova also met with the Vice-Governor of Lower Austria and former Austrian Interior Minister, Johanna Mikl-Leitner

The two discussed the migratory situation and the measures Bulgaria is taking to prevent the emergence of secondary migrant flows from Bulgaria to countries from central and eastern Europe as well as expanding cooperation with the state of Lower Austria.