Bulgarian PM: No Immediate Threat of Migration Pressure From Gaza War

Jerusalem, 18 October, 2023 (TPS) -- SOFIA (BTA)
Talking to reporters on Tuesday, Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said that there is no immediate threat of migration pressure to Bulgaria due to the war between Israel and Hamas. He said he is worried about a possible escalation of the conflict. Denkov confirmed that Bulgaria is ready to make another evacuation flight to Israel if needed.

Fortunately, in the last couple of days there has been some reconciliation, Denkov said, adding that it is clear that Hamas must be eradicated as it carries the charge of terrorism within it.

However, he added, there are peaceful civilians who must be protected in order tо achieve sustainable peace. In his words, the question is how to make Hamas disappear, so that the situation returns to normal and seek a sustainable solution.

Answering a question whether the government has information about Bulgarian citizens who are in the Gaza Strip, Denkov replied, “There is no connection with some of the citizens who are in the Gaza Strip. Currently, there is no way to take action to remove them.”

“I don’t have exact information. At the moment, there is no stable communication [with the Gaza Strip]. Bulgaria cannot organize a humanitarian corridor by itself. This will be part of the common effort for [creating] humanitarian corridors for all the foreigners who are there,” he said.

Denkov assured that Bulgaria is very actively involved in the common efforts to tackle the Israel-Hamas situation.

Asked whether a possible increased migration pressure on Bulgaria would prevent the country’s entry into Schengen, the PM explained that Bulgaria was coping well with the current situation, but should be prepared if more migrant pressure occurs. “The most pragmatic way to have the other countries on our side is to explain what is their benefit from Bulgaria being in Schengen,” he said.