Bulgaria, Greece to open joint police cooperation centre

Bulgaria and Greece will step up cooperation in tackling illegal migration, cross-border crime and corruption, the two countries said after talks in Sofia between Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev and Greek Minister for Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis.

Demerdzhiev described Greece as Bulgaria's strategic partner in border security and the fight against drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms smuggling and contraband. He said Sofia had sought Greek assistance in tracing assets linked to people suspected of corruption and organised crime in Bulgaria.

The two ministers signed an agreement to establish a joint police and customs cooperation centre at the Kulata–Promachonas border crossing. They also signed a protocol on joint police patrols along the internal EU border and a declaration setting out common procedures for cross-border hot pursuit.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova