He added that 2022 was a record year – with three times the pressure of previous years. On this occasion, the implementation of a joint project with the European Commission will begin in a few weeks. 

"It is about the technical securing of 110 km, which have not been secured in any way within 10 years of pressure. It refers to the return of the Border Police staff, which were reduced by 2,000 people during these 10 years, while the migrant pressure has been increasing", explained the minister. 

Ivan Demerdzhiev again called for legislative changes so that the migrant smugglers could receive heavier sentences, which, he said, now last 5 months at best. 

He also said that the first signals of attempts to buy votes for the upcoming parliamentary elections on April 2 have already been received.