Syrian refugees, a threat to security?
(BRUSSELS2) The Bulgarian Minister of Defence, Angel Naydenov, does not go there by 4 paths. The arrival of Syrian refugees in large numbers in Bulgaria is one of the main national security risks he said on Monday. “And that has already been stated more than once”. The minister notably pointed the finger at the fact that radicalized elements could thus enter the country, according to the Novinite agency. " We should all, citizens and institutions, take the necessary steps to see how these refugees can be accommodated ", he added.
Within weeks, several thousand Syrians arrived in the country. And the government expects to have to welcome 11.000 Syrians by the end of the year. Which is noticeable. Bulgaria does not have a very strong tradition of welcoming refugees (like most Eastern European countries for that matter). In 2012, out of 606 asylum applications, it only accepted 195! 20 only as refugees and 175 under temporary protection (compared to the 1455 asylum seekers recognized in Malta which has a population 15 times smaller!).
Comment: if the message is a bit abrupt, it deserves some consideration. The number of Syrian refugees is effectively becoming a security "question" and all of Europe deserves to take a more serious look at it. And quickly. Because the situation is accelerating. The rate of 5 million refugees could be exceeded according to UN agencies. And the neighboring countries are overflowing: Turkey has more or less closed its borders, Jordan is not far from it and Lebanon is overflowing. In Egypt, we expel, etc. Many are currently veiling their faces in Europe on this problem. I met, yesterday, in Strasbourg several MEPs, UMP. And the solutions displayed were distressing. “They have to stay in neighboring countries. We just have to put pressure on Turkey said one, yet a convinced Europhile. The solution to the conflict is “political above all” says the other. Sensible remarks but which do not solve the current situation. Syrian refugees could quickly arrive in greater numbers to Europe quickly, via Turkey or the Mediterranean. And it is important to be prepared!
(*) I prefer this term to "threat"
