DefMin: Bulgaria Has Readiness to Deploy More Troops to Border with Turkey

Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev assured on Sunday that the Bulgarian army has readiness to assist border police in guarding the country's frontier with Turkey against the influx of illegal migrants.

Nenchev said that it will be jointly discussed and decided with border police whether there is need to deploy additional troops and military equipment.

Between 100 and 150 troops with military equipment have already been deployed to the frontier to provide logistical support and carry joint patrols with border police.

During his inspection of the servicemen deployed at the border region of Elhovo, Nenchev stated that the Bulgarian army will remain as long as it is necessary to ensure the security of the frontier.

The defence minister inspected the working conditions and familiarised himself with the situation at the border.

He highlighted that the duties fulfilled by the troops at the border constituted an extremely important contribution, which has to be highly appreciated by the Bulgarian society.

The Deputy Chief of Defence, General-Lieutenant Konstantin Popov, said that the Bulgarian Land Forces are excellent in fulfilling their duties and have good cooperation with the border police.

Popov added that an additional 19 servicemen will be stationed, while military transport helicopters will carry out periodical flights mainly above the country's border with Macedonia and Greece.

Nenchev also visited the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint where illegal migrants had been detained overnight.

The defence minister was firm that servicemen are authorised to use force and weapons only in the circumstances when self-defence can not be avoided.

He revealed that the defence ministry had provided concrete instructions to the troops, who have to strictly observe the provisions of the domestic legislation, international law, international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter.

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