Bulgarian PM, Interior Head Differ on Turkey Border Fence Plans

Bulgaria's PM Boyko Borisov and Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov have different opinions on whether the country should restore the fence along the Bulgarian-Turkish border as a measure against the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

On Friday, Tsvetanov said that he expects a new integrated system for control of the Bulgarian-Turkish border to start operating by the end of the year. In his words, it would not require taking additional money from Bulgarian taxpayers.

However, on Wednesday Borisov said that Bulgaria needed "20 years to tear down the border fortifications and now it has to build it again."

"The border between Austria and Germany is one thing, but a border with Turkey, which hosts over 1100 FMD outbreaks, is a different thing. Now we are doing Europe's job," Borisov said.

The head of the Bulgarian National Veterinary Service, Yordan Voynov, has announced that the border fence will be restored with financial support by the European Commission.

Hundreds of domestic animals were slaughtered in the Bulgarian village of Rezovo, which is near the country's border with Turkey, because of positive FMD tests.

The virus was found in Bulgaria for the first time in 12 years. It is believed to have been carried to the country from Turkey.

According to Tsvetanov, the old barbed wire fence has proven that it is not good enough to stop the animals.

"Border officers have thermal imaging equipment, so no additional burden will be imposed on the Bulgarian taxpayers," Tsvetanov said.

However, Turkish officials have opposed Bulgaria's idea to rebuild the border fence, which existed between the two statesduring the Cold War period, suspecting hidden agenda.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!