Bulgarian border barrier

The Bulgarian border barrier is a border barrier erected by Bulgaria on its border with Turkey as a response to European migrant crisis. As of March 2016, nearly 100 kilometres (62 mi) of the 166 kilometres (103 mi) planned barrier were constructed.^[1]

Turkish border

  Bulgaria

  Turkey

In January 2014, Bulgaria started construction of a 30-kilometer long security fence along its border with Turkey to contain a surge of refugees from the Middle East and North Africa.^[2] Standing 10 feet (3.0 m) tall and fortified with razor wire coils, the fence covers the least visible section of the border between the Lesovo border checkpoint and the village of Golyam Dervent. The Bulgarian Army completed the protective barrier in July 2014 at a cost of around €5 million.^[3] As a result of the new fence, illegal crossing attempts in the vicinity of the installation have decreased by seven times. Turkey’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Suleyman Gokce has expressed dissatisfaction with the border barrier adding that it creates discontent and gives reason to "reflect on the political message," that the fence is sending.^[4]

At the beginning of 2015, the government announced a 130-kilometer extension to the barbed wire border fence in order to completely secure the land border. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov described the extension as "absolutely necessary," in order to prevent persons from illegally entering the European Union member state.^[5] Bulgarian Parliament has decided to continue construction of the fence at the border with Turkey without launching a public procurement procedure because of the need to safeguard national security.^[6] This final section of the fence completely seals off Bulgarian border with Turkey.^[7] As of March 2016, nearly 100 kilometres (62 mi) of the 166 kilometres (103 mi) planned barrier were constructed.^[1]

Greek border

Following the closure of the migrant Balkan route by Macedonia, the Balkan countries and Austria in March 2016, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov announced that fence could be erected also on Greek border if necessary.^[1]

See also

• Austrian border barrier
• Greek border barrier
• Hungarian border barrier
• Macedonian border barrier
• Slovenian border barrier

References

1. Angel Krasimirov; Hugh Lawson. Bulgaria says ready to erect fence on border with Greece. Reuters. Published on March 25, 2016.
2. Lyman, Rick (2015-04-05). "Bulgaria Puts Up a New Wall, but This One Keeps People Out". New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
3. "Bulgarian Defense Minister: Border Fence to be Finished in June". 2014-05-14. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
4. "Turkey’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Voices Dissatisfaction with Border Fence". 2015-05-31. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
5. "Bulgaria to extend fence at Turkish border to bar refugee influx". Retrieved April 12, 2015.
6. "Parliament OKs Building of Border Fence Without Public Procurement". Retrieved April 12, 2015.
7. Caroline Mortimer. Bulgaria builds final part of razor wire fence to keep out refugees. The Independent. 4 August 2015.