Bulgaria-Turkey Border Police: Key Joint Operations Explained
**A joint police force has been established at the Bulgaria-Turkey border, involving the collaborative efforts of four nations.** This coalition, which includes Bulgaria, Austria, Romania, and Hungary, officially commenced its operations on the Bulgaria-Turkey border. According to a report from Sofian Globe, this initiative is part of Bulgaria’s full integration into the Schengen visa zone, with the deployment of 100 additional border police officers starting on February 3.
The agreement outlines the distribution of personnel, with 25 Bulgarian officers, 40 Romanian, 20 Hungarian, and 10 Austrian agents involved. This strategic move comes after Austria lifted its veto on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania’s land borders into the Schengen area, marking a significant milestone in the region’s border security efforts.
Importance of Joint Operations
Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pintér highlighted the critical nature of securing external borders for the protection of Europe’s internal borders. This sentiment is echoed by Romanian Interior Minister Cătălin Predoiu, who emphasized the connection between organized migration flows and illicit activities such as drug and arms trafficking. Predoiu called for increased funding for Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and urged advancements in border security technologies.
Moreover, the General Director of Bulgaria’s Border Police, Anton Zlatanov, reassured that the primary responsibility for border security remains with Bulgaria’s own security forces, which consist of approximately 1,500-1,600 border police and numerous soldiers. He noted that while there is currently low pressure from migration, an uptick is anticipated during the summer months.
Future Expectations and Achievements
Zlatanov also reported a notable achievement for Bulgaria in 2023, with successful large-scale operations aimed at dismantling organized human trafficking networks. As part of ongoing efforts to enhance border security, the land borders of Bulgaria and Romania are set to be integrated into the Schengen area by January 1, 2025, following the inclusion of their air and sea ports by the end of March 2024.
In light of these developments, the European Union has delivered a unified message following the recent U.S. elections, further reinforcing the commitment to enhanced border security and cooperation among member states.
