11,000 refugees detained in Bulgaria so far this year
More than 11,000 refugees were detained inside the country between the beginning of 2022 and the end of November, according to Ministry of Internal Affairs data. Most of these people will have entered Bulgaria illegally and stopped at some point beyond the border point, usually en route to other countries.
The number, which probably does not even do justice to the scale of the influx of refugees, is indicative of the pressure Bulgaria is under.
Interior Ministry data shows that the influx of migrants this year is several times higher than usual and that Bulgaria has managed to prevent more than 150,000 attempted border crossings.
Eight billion euros in EU funds go to agriculture
The European Commission has approved 8 billion euros in funds for Bulgarian agriculture in the period from 2023 to 2027. The funds, listed in the "Strategic plan for the development of agriculture and rural areas", have been approved just a few weeks before the start of 2023.
The strategic plan was returned once by the EC during the mandate of the cabinet of former Prime Minister Kiril Petkov with more than 200 corrective remarks because it was not sufficiently well structured.
Bulgaria's first medical helicopter on hold
The public tender seeking a medical helicopter for rent has been terminated. Not a single proposal was received during the eligible period up until the announced deadline of December 5.
The order for "dry leasing" was for 1,756,004 euros excluding VAT. The aim was to provide a helicopter with which state company Bulgaria Heli Med Service would be licensed as a medical transport operator.
The procurement was required to provide maintenance, flight crew and instructor training on the handling of medical equipment in HEMS operations, as well as on-site training for pilots if required, and insurance. Bulgaria is yet to have its first medical helicopter.
11,000 refugees detained in Bulgaria so far this year
More than 11,000 refugees were detained inside the country between the beginning of 2022 and the end of November, according to Ministry of Internal Affairs data. Most of these people will have entered Bulgaria illegally and stopped at some point beyond the border point, usually en route to other countries.
