Bulgarians Join Balkan Protest Against Soaring Food Prices
Bulgaria has joined Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro in organizing protests against rising food prices
Bulgarian Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova said to journalists in parliament on Friday that the migrant pressure on the country's borders has decreased by between 30 % and 36 % compared to the same period last year.
Bachvarova identified two types of migrant pressure exerted on the country's borders – spontaneous mass influx and the crossing of smaller groups assisted by smugglers.
According to her, the necessary measures have been taken to react in the event of a mass influx and put it under control.
In her words, this type of pressure is increasingly less likely to occur after the entry into force of the agreement between the EU and Turkey on the return of migrants and the efforts of Greece in this respect.
The interior minister noted that attention should be paid to the smaller groups of migrants who are crossing the land border with the assistance of smugglers.
Bachvarova added that the challenge lies in the fact that the length of the border does not correspond to the number of people who could be deployed to guard it.
The interior ministry has reorganised border patrols and their routes and has sought the assistance of the military.
However the ministry could not take all possible measures as this would lead to great increase in the expenditures.
In her opinion, there are attempts to destabilise the Balkans. A similar concern was expressed by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov on Thursday.
Bachvarova noted that processes of political destabilisation are taking place in all countries neighbouring Bulgaria.
Serbia, Macedonia and Romania are preparing for elections, Greece is being shaken by protests, while Turkey is having internal problems and is facing the greatest migrant pressure.
According to the minister, internal security in Bulgaria is most visible and noticeable, but this does not mean that the country might not be subject to attacks trying to destabilise it.
Bachvarova stated that the security authorities have not warned of any attempts to destabilise the country.
Seismic activity near Santorini remains intense, with more than 6,400 earthquakes recorded in the past ten days
Over the past few days, more than 700 earthquakes have been recorded in the Cyclades region, particularly affecting the islands of Santorini and Amorgos
Viktor Stoyanov, the chairman of the "Macedonia Foundation", expressed disappointment with the Macedonian government's refusal to organize a joint celebration for the common hero and revolutionary, Gotse Delchev
Greek farmers are growing increasingly concerned about the future of their crops as uncertainty looms over their access to water from Bulgaria
Romania has taken another step towards strengthening its air defense capabilities with the landing of a new F-16 Fighting Falcon at the Campia Turzii air base
A large-scale boycott of supermarket chains took place in Croatia on January 24, 2025
Bulgaria's Perperikon: A European Counterpart to Peru's Machu Picchu
Bulgarians Among EU's Least Frequent Vacationers, Struggling with Affordability