While EU member states disagree over how to handle asylum seekers, all agree protecting the bloc's external borders is key. But Frontex, the agency tasked with the job, is in crisis. Marina Strauss reports from Brussels.
Six Afghan migrants were discovered inside a Bulgarian lorry by German police in a motorway lorry park in southern Germany on Saturday, January 23.
Serbia's constitutional court has confirmed that the country has deported asylum-seekers to neighboring EU member state Bulgaria in contravention of international law.
Spain will make it easier for migrants and the unemployed to find work in agriculture. This marks the latest move in the country’s efforts to tackle a shortfall of farm workers due to the coronavirus.
On March 18, the Turkish government announced that it would be closing its borders with EU countries Greece and Bulgaria. The reason: The Covid-19 pandemic. The announcement came a day after talks between some EU leaders and the Turkish president, where more help was promised for Turkey to support migrants and refugees.
Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has said his country is hoping for €130 million from the EU in order to help strengthen its borders with Turkey. So far, Bulgaria has experienced no pressure at its borders; since 2015 they have been protected by barbed wire fences and frequent patrols.
Over 200 suspected traffickers and migrant smugglers have been arrested in an Interpol-led operation. Victims of the rings came from 14 different countries.
European leaders have already agreed to a massive boost for the border protection agency, Frontex. The incoming head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, wants to bring forward the expansion.
New reports place the EU border agency Frontex at scenes of brutality against migrants. The border guards of Greece, Bulgaria and Hungary have been found to be especially brutal.
The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment has said that it is necessary to improve the situation of healthcare assistance for foreigners in detainment.
After police raids in the Bulgarian capital Sofia and in the eastern region of the country, 17 suspected people smugglers were arrested and taken into custody by the authorities. The Deputy Prosecutor General, who has already broken up other similar rings, is investigating the group and their reach further.
In the lead up to the European Parliament Elections, the German politician Manfred Weber has promised Bulgarians tight measures against illegal migration. Bulgaria was a critical part of the Balkan route at the height of the migrant crisis.