The Bulgarian Minister of Internal Affairs, Daniel Mitov, accused the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service of cooperating with criminal groups engaged in the illegal import of migrants into the EU, writes The Times. The Bulgarian diplomat stated that his government has evidence of this cooperation, as well as confirmation that Russian intelligence services help migrants avoid deportation from EU countries.
According to him, Russian intelligence agents assist criminal groups in identifying vulnerable areas on the EU border, such as the Turkish-Bulgarian border, and also provide advice on exploiting loopholes in asylum procedures.
The Bulgarian Foreign Minister called illegal migration another element of hybrid warfare and a tool for destabilizing the European Union and the United Kingdom.
As the publication writes, on Wednesday at the summit in London, representatives of European countries will discuss strengthening cooperation in combating illegal migration through the Western Balkans. The United Kingdom hopes to agree with several Balkan leaders on the creation of "return centers" where asylum seekers who have been denied in EU countries will be accepted in exchange for financial support and intelligence.