Minister of Interior about the "Sky News" report: I am disappointed by such manipulation on the eve of the decision for Bulgaria's accession to Schengen

The October 3 incident at the border was immediately investigated by a joint Bulgarian-Turkish commission, which came up with a firm conclusion that the shot was not fired from Bulgarian territory and by a Bulgarian border police officer. However, this report appeared before the decision for Bulgaria’s admission to Schengen, the caretaker Minister of the Interior, Ivan Demerdzhiev, told BNT morning show "The Day Begins" regarding an investigation by "Sky News", which alleged that Bulgarian border guards had wounded a Syrian young man with a firearm.

"This report is in sharp contradiction with the position expressed by Mr Rutte, a little earlier, that the Bulgarian border can be crossed illegally at the cost of 50 euros and it is very interesting which of the two theses is true," Demerdzhiev said.

However, he dismissed both theses as untrue - neither the Bulgarian border is crossed for 50 euros, nor does anyone shoot straight at anyone else.

I am disappointed by such manipulation on the eve of the Schengen decision, Demerdzhiev said.

He also showed the consequences that the group of migrants in question caused in their attempts to cross the border illegally - injured police officer and broken windows.

"Weapons cannot be used from Bulgarian to Turkish territory, this is clearly regulated between the two countries. Weapons are used when our patrol is attacked, on our territory," Demerdzhiev said.

He added that Bulgaria meets all the criteria for joining Schengen. Austria has claims about the way Schengen functions in principle and that it should not be enlarged.

European solidarity is needed, including from sceptical countries. We invited Austria to come and see for themselves how the border is secured, Demerdzhiev said. As a result, the Austrian ambassador has visited the Bulgarian-Greek and Bulgarian-Turkish borders, and the feedback has been good.

The position of the Netherlands has nothing to do with the Schengen criteria. We made every effort to convince the Netherlands, but subsequently Mr Rutte came out and announced the opposite, Demerdzhiev said.

According to him, the control at the border with Turkey at Kapitain Andreevo border crossing is better than ever. He reminded that the capacity for phytosanitary control of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency has also been increased.

"At a time when we are stabilising the situation there and expanding the capacity of the Food Safety Agency to do control there, we are receiving criticism. Suggestions are being made that are not based on facts. And they become the basis of positions of other countries that are also not based on facts," he said.

The Minister of Interior added that the posting of police officers at the border will continue until the Border Police complement of staff is filled and it is secured technically. Procurement of clothing and technical equipment is underway and the first items of equipment ordered have already been delivered.

The alcohol breath tests for law enforcement officers has shown that very few police officers use alcohol and drugs.

"I am happy that both the officers and the trade unions accepted that the Ministry of Interior has to show that the approach is the same to the officers and to the people outside and that despite the demonisation that some people are trying to impose, our officers are neither drug addicts nor drink alcohol at work and that is what the check showed," Demerdzhiev said.

In his words, Bulgaria has set the reforms in the Recovery and Resilience Plan, where there are clearly stated deadlines.

Does the Sky News report tell the whole truth about the migrant shooting incident at Bulgarian-Turkish border?

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