Atanas Ilkov

The search for 13-year-old Nikolay from the village of Konare continues into its eighth day without any significant breakthroughs. The boy, who has Down Syndrome, disappeared on December 17, sparking an extensive search effort involving nearly 100 participants, including police officers, forest officials, volunteers from across the country, and military personnel.

A helicopter has been deployed to assist in the search for 13-year-old Nikolay, who has been missing for six days from the village of Konare, near Stara Zagora. The helicopter is flying over areas where the boy is believed to possibly be, as search efforts intensify.

Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area by land will not result in the country becoming a migrant buffer, Acting Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov stated during a briefing following the EU Council's final decision. Ilkov described the event as a historic achievement for Bulgaria, marking December 12, 2024, as a significant date for Bulgarian citizens, businesses, and institutions.

The Bulgarian economy is expected to gain significantly from the country's admission to the Schengen area, with annual economic benefits estimated at 500 million leva. The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) expressed optimism that the removal of border controls will have an immediate impact, not only on transport companies but also on Bulgarian citizens.

Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov expressed immense pride and emotion as Bulgaria was officially accepted as a full member of the Schengen Area, with land border controls set to be abolished starting January 1, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through Homeland Security Investigations, has provided Bulgaria's Ministry of the Interior with advanced equipment aimed at bolstering the country's border security. The upgraded technology was presented in a ceremony attended by Ambassador Kenneth Merten and DHS Attaché Rene Valenzuela, alongside Bulgaria's Minister of Interior Atanas Ilkov.

The Ministry of Interior announced an increase in security measures ahead of the upcoming holiday season, focusing on the student celebrations on December 8, as well as the Christmas and New Year holidays. Law enforcement presence will be heightened in shopping centers and Christmas markets to deter serious criminal activity and ensure public safety.

Following Bulgaria's entry into the Schengen area's land borders, border checkpoints will remain operational, but movement across borders will become more streamlined, according to the Ministry of Interior.

Next year, approximately 600 speed cameras will be operational across Bulgaria, according to Acting Minister of Internal Affairs Atanas Ilkov. Speaking in Plovdiv during a memorial service for road traffic victims at St.

Hungary's Interior Minister, Sandor Pinter, announced that Romania and Bulgaria have a chance to fully join the Schengen area starting in January 2025. His statement came after an informal meeting in Budapest involving the interior ministers of Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and Austria.