The pilot project on asylum and return processes has advanced in Bulgaria over the past three months, and this was noted by the European Commission on Wednesday.
According to the Commission’s statement, Bulgaria will receive extra funding from the Commission in the amount of 45 million euros for the execution of the pilot project.
The money for Border Management and Home Affairs Visa Policy will be included to the national program.
Based on best practices and past experience in the areas of asylum, return, border management, and international collaboration, the pilot project in Bulgaria was started in March 2023.
By September 2023, the pilot project should be fully implemented.
The report states that Bulgaria has implemented operational measures with the Commission’s assistance to enhance accelerated asylum proceedings and has created a list of safe nations in accordance with EU regulations.
“Bulgaria is investigating the idea of issuing a negative decision on international protection together with a return decision in order to improve the implementation of asylum and return procedures.
With the aid of EU agencies and Commission services, the authorities are attempting to automate the asylum and repatriation systems.
In order to combat smuggling networks and restrict secondary movements inside the EU, Bulgaria has also improved collaboration with Europol.
The operation’s update states that Greater Bulgaria “has established a national information sharing mechanism and will shortly establish an Operational Task Force to combat migrant smuggling.”
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