Bulgaria's Border Police Chief Highlights Key Role in Schengen Integration Efforts
On Friday, Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov, Director of Bulgaria's Border Police, emphasized the critical role of combating illegal migration in advancing the country's bid for full Schengen membership. Speaking at a ceremony for the delivery of 80 new high-performance vehicles to the Border Police, Zlatanov praised the efforts of those who have contributed to this achievement, CE Report quotes BTA
"Without the results achieved last year and this year, neither a political nor a diplomatic decision for our full integration into the Schengen zone would have been possible," he stated.
Zlatanov acknowledged the sacrifices made by officers in the fight against illegal migration, some of whom have lost their lives in the line of duty. He noted that their efforts have made the route through Bulgaria increasingly difficult for illegal migrants, resulting in a 70% reduction in illegal migration compared to the previous year.
He also highlighted recent successes in dismantling criminal networks involved in human trafficking. Since the start of December, two organized crime groups, including their leaders and operatives, have been arrested, reinforcing the country's commitment to addressing cross-border crime.
