Minister of Interior Daniel Mitov signed a key letter addressed to the European Commission. With this action, Bulgaria joins the call for a coordinated European approach regarding the return of Afghan citizens who are illegally residing in the territory of the Union or have committed crimes.
The initiative for this letter belongs to the Minister of Asylum and Migration of Belgium, and its support is ensured by a solid number of member states of the European Union and the Schengen area - a total of twenty. The signing by Minister Mitov underscores Bulgaria's commitment to a common position on a key issue that affects the security and migration policy of the continent.
The text of the letter clearly emphasizes the serious consequences of the inability to effectively return - whether on a voluntary or forced basis - of the mentioned categories of citizens. According to the signatories, this inability undermines public trust in the system and negatively affects overall collective security. This requires urgent measures and a coordinated response at the European level.
In addition, the ministers who have joined the letter call on the European Commission to give this issue the necessary political significance and to seek diplomatic and pragmatic solutions. They emphasize the need for a more active role for Frontex - the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, in the process of implementing voluntary returns and subsequent reintegration. In addition, the letter calls for strengthening cooperation between the European Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the individual member states. The aim is to undertake a mission at the administrative level in Afghanistan to support efforts to effectively manage migration flows.
The atmosphere in the ministries' offices in the capital seems filled with increased tension. Obviously, the issue of migration and related challenges is at the top of the agenda, requiring immediate solutions and coordinated actions.