Bulgarian Prime Minister meets with the Governor of Edirne
Glavchev told Governor Sezer that Türkiye was very successful in the fight against irregular migration and that irregular migration traffic was largely prevented by the measures taken by Türkiye.
"We thank Türkiye for its fight against irregular migration, we are grateful to Türkiye at this point. You have indeed taken important measures on irregular migration and the decrease in crossings is an indication of this." Glavchev said that they will start expansion works at 3 border gates on the Turkish border in a short time in order to speed up both truck and vehicle traffic on the border.
"Measures taken prevent irregular migration"
Sezer also drew attention to the 90 per cent decrease in irregular migration traffic with the measures taken to combat irregular migration.
Referring to the measures taken, Sezer said, "We have now rebuilt more than 200 kilometres of border roads. We have taken measures to detect and prevent border crossing up to towers with electrooptics and lifts. Nearly 200 search points have been established from Istanbul to Edirne. With the measures taken, there is a decrease in migration traffic. With the operation of mutual mechanisms, the migration route may change completely in the near future.
Stating that especially Kapıkule and Kapitan Andreevo border gates are among the border gates with the highest traffic in the world, Sezer referred to the lorry traffic and reminded that the expatriate season will start soon.
Yunus Sezer said, "Only in the first 5 months of this year, 725 thousand trucks passed through this border gate, this is a very big figure. Our customs administrations are carrying out extraordinary work both at Kapıkule and Hamzabeyli border gates. The expatriate season starts in mid-June and Turks from Europe will come to Turkey. The load of our customs administrations will increase 3-4 times. At this point, we expect your support."
Governor Sezer added that the "Joint Contact Centre" established by Türkiye, Greece and Bulgaria for the solution of the border problems is working very actively.
Telephone call from Bulgarian Interior Minister Stoyanov to Yerlikaya
Bulgarian Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov also spoke to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya by phone to thank Türkiye for the measures it has taken to combat irregular migration.
Stoyanov told Yerlikaya that due to the measures taken, irregular migrants realised that they could not reach Europe via Bulgaria and said: "This is thanks to your efforts, I look forward to seeing you in Bulgaria".
Yerlikaya wished his counterpart success in the elections to be held at the weekend, and noted that he would respond to the invitation after the elections.
Bulgarian Minister of Regional Development and Improvement Violeta Koritarova, Turkish Ambassador to Sofia Mehmet Sait Uyanık, customs officials, law enforcement officers and protocol members of the two countries took part in the visit.
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