European Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva has confirmed that Bulgaria will receive financial assistance in order to cope with the ongoing refugee influx.

Georgieva has told the Bulgarian Trud daily that the financing would be based on “all possible reserves,” with the sum yet to be specified.

“The Commission is already helping Bulgaria. We are sending there 100 people for technical and operational support. They will not only assist you in receiving the refugee wave, but also in absorbing the EU aid,” she said.

The Bulgarian European Commissioner reminded that the money will be allocated within a month’s time, and Bulgarian authorities will have six months to absorb it.

Georgieva noted that the refugee problem would persist even if the crisis in Syria is to end soon.

On Monday, Bulgarian Interior Minister Tsvetlin Yovchev said the country had asked for an additional EUR 6 M in order to cope with the refugee influx.

Bulgaria has seen a considerable refugee influx over the past months, with authorities saying the number of asylum seekers in the country may reach 11 000 by the end of the year.
The Balkan country is the gateway to the European Union for refugees fleeing Syria via Turkey, many crossing the border illegally to seek asylum.