SOFIA, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian authorities are taking the necessary measures to stop possible migrant flows coming from Greece and Turkey, the ministers of defense and interior said at a joint press conference here on Monday.
"A meeting with Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has just been held in connection with the movement of migrant masses in some neighboring countries," Minister of Defense Krasimir Karakachanov said.
Last week, such a movement was noted in Turkey and Greece, along with reports that large groups of illegal migrants could approach the Bulgarian borders, he said.
According to the Bulgarian government, the possibility of a fresh movement of migrants has not faded, said Karakachanov, who is also deputy prime minister for public order and security.
The Ministry of Interior has therefore taken measures to protect the country's borders. At the request of the interior minister, the Ministry of Defense is also ready to deploy 3,000 troops and equipment, 1,200 of them within 24 hours, Karakachanov said.
His ministry would deploy specialized and transport equipment along the borders, not tanks or armored vehicles, he underlined.
"Everything necessary will be done, and if anyone aims to provoke Bulgaria from outside, we have taken all necessary measures to prevent it from happening," Karakachanov said.
"At this stage, we can say that the situation on the borders of Bulgaria is normal, but we have to strengthen our presence there," Interior Minister Mladen Marinov added.
The Border Police has increased its presence and since Friday the Gendarmerie has been conducting specialized operations in small settlements along the border area on orders to react if necessary, Marinov said.
The Interior Ministry has also deployed technical equipment, such as thermal cameras and night vision devices, Marinov said.
"I don't want panic, but I want to look at the situation objectively, and when neighboring countries have problems, we have to prepare," Marinov said.
