Today, six months since the start of implementation of the pilot projects for fast asylum and return procedures, the Commission is reporting on the good progress made by Bulgaria and Romania, the European Commission states. Overall, solid results have been achieved with best practices identified in the area of accelerated asylum procedures and effective returns, border management and reinforced cooperation with neighbouring countries. 

Bulgaria also drew up a list with designated safe countries of origin and safe third countries and increased the number of deployments by the European Union Agency for Asylum. Bulgaria is in the process of amending its legislation, to allow for the issuing of a negative decision on international protection jointly with a return decision, the EC report reads.

The report comes as the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council is discussing, in Luxembourg, the problem of migratory pressure and Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to the Schengen area.