Bulgaria strengthens border security with Turkey with new sensor system
KRAINOVO - Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov will participate today in the official opening ceremony of a new sensor surveillance system along the state border with Turkey. The event, which is being held in the area of the village of Krainovo, is the next step in the country's efforts to modernize and strengthen border control, which is key to national security and the protection of the external borders of the European Union.
The opening of the high-tech line will take place at 10:00 a.m., and will also be attended by other high-ranking officials, including Minister of Interior Daniel Mitov and the Director of the General Directorate "Border Police" Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov. The gathering of senior state officials on-site emphasizes the strategic importance of the project for the government. The tension in the region, related to illegal migration, makes this move particularly timely, and the officials present will likely emphasize the state's determination to deal with the challenges.
The new sensor system is an integral part of a broader project aimed at expanding the scope of the integrated border surveillance system. The main mission of this large-scale plan is to ensure reliable video surveillance and increase the capacity to counter illegal migration. This initiative directly addresses Bulgaria's commitments as a country responsible for the security of one of the external borders of the European Union.
Reminding of the ongoing efforts in this direction, in July of this year the ministers of interior of Bulgaria and Austria – Daniel Mitov and Gerhard Karner, also opened a similar new sensor line. This initiative is part of a large project worth 170 million leva, which is financed by the European Commission (EC), which emphasizes Brussels' support for Bulgaria in this regard. The first stage of this project included the construction of over 2.5 kilometers of the system in the area of the village of Golyam Dervent, in the area of responsibility of the Regional Directorate "Border Police" – Elhovo.
The construction of these facilities demonstrates Bulgaria's commitment to modernizing its border infrastructure and using technological solutions in the fight against human trafficking and illegal migration. It is expected that the new line, located in a strategic location such as Krainovo, will contribute significantly to improving the effectiveness of border control and will strengthen the security of the region.