EU helps Bulgaria and Romania to protect borders against migrants
The European Commission has announced two pilot projects with Romania and Bulgaria aimed at stopping irregular migration at the EU's external borders.
Bulgaria
Five charged after 18 migrants found dead in truck in Bulgaria
Bulgarian prosecutors have charged five people with human trafficking after 18 Afghans were found dead inside a truck on a dirt road in Bulgaria last Friday. Separately, 43 migrants were discovered in a van on Monday in western Bulgaria.
Bulgaria: 18 migrants found dead in truck
The truck, which was carrying timber, had hidden close to 40 migrants from Afghanistan. Four Bulgarian suspects have been arrested.
EU to tighten borders and stuff migration loopholes
The EU has managed to decide on a series of new policies aimed at curbing irregular migration. However, the impact of those policies is likely going to be limited, with the focus on economic migration rather than addressing the root causes of migration.
Bulgaria: Migrants 'pushed back, locked up, stripped and beaten'
Bulgaria has again faced accusations that its border authorities have subjected migrants to beatings, humiliation and racist language. Bulgarian authorities have denied the allegations.
EU Commission leader presents 'four-point plan' to prevent irregular migration
Ursula von der Leyen has called on EU member states and partner nations to strengthen solidarity and coordination in their fight against irregular migration. She also urged countries to increase the number of repatriations of irregular migrants, and to step up their border management capabilities – particularly at the Turkish-Bulgarian border.
European Commission will not fund Bulgaria-Turkey wall
A European Commission spokesperson will not finance the construction of border walls to keep people out, including the wall being built between Bulgaria and Turkey.
Austria opposes expansion of EU visa-free travel, supports Bulgaria in bolstering border
Austria's chancellor has said he would lobby the European Union for €2 billion in funding for Bulgaria to strengthen its border with Turkey. Despite pushback, Bulgaria's president says he's hopeful his country would join the Schengen group of countries in the foreseeable future.
Dozens of migrants intercepted in Bulgaria amid human rights abuse allegations
Bulgaria has detained 70 people suspected of having entered the country as migrants using irregular means. Some had to be rushed to hospital having suffered exhaustion, according to regional police forces.
Croatia to join Schengen but Bulgaria, Romania bids rejected
Croatia will join the unrestricted movement arrangement from January 1. However, an EU official confirmed the bids from Bulgaria and Romania to join the Schengen Area have been blocked.
'Europe's black sites': Allegations of torture and detention along EU borders
A new European investigative journalism report alleges that migrants are being "abitrarily detained and tortured at secret facilities along EU borders before being illegally forced back across [those] borders."
Bulgaria denies report about migrant shot at border
The Balkan nation has rejected accusations that its border guards shot a Syrian refugee in October. A video released showed a man being shot on Bulgaria's border with Turkey.