FAKE: New refugee camps will be built

This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Interior Krassimir Tsipov at a briefing for journalists, dedicated to the information that appeared in the media that the Ministry of Interior will build new refugee camps. According to him, the public procurement is for the preparation of sites for temporary crisis centers in case there is migratory pressure from Turkey. These sites will be put into operation when the Action Plan in case of migratory pressure is activated by the Council of Ministers, Tsipov explained. The purpose of the public procurement is to clear that the sites located on the territory of property owned by the Ministry of Interior in Elhovo, Malko Tarnovo and Lyubimets. There is no free access and there are security guards. The funds are provided by the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, amounting to 160m euros, as approved by the European Commission. Furthermore, Tsipov explained that “the Ministry of Interior does not expect new migratory pressure, but Bulgaria should be ready to face such a wave”. As of February 2021, the occupancy rate of the facilities of the Ministry of Interior, Special Centres for Temporary Accommodation of Foreigners in Busmantsi and in Lyubimets, stands at 24%.