BULGARIA SIGNS AN AGREEMENT WITH TURKEY FOR RETURN OF ILLEGAL MIGRANTS

Bulgaria and Turkey signed a protocol on the implementation of the agreement for returning illegal migrants to Turkey.

The EU-Turkey readmission agreement was signed in March 2016 as part of the efforts to tackle the migration crisis. In return, Brussels will provide support to the building of refugee centres on the territory of Turkey. Proposals have been made for visa-free travel of Turkish citizens in the EU.

The agreement between Sofia and Ankara is expected to become effective as of the beginning of June. It foresees Bulgaria to send back migrants to Turkey, including those from third countries, who illegally crossed into Bulgaria. The Greece-Turkey bilateral readmission agreement is already being implemented and provides for return of illegal migrants from Greece to Turkey.