12.08.2026 00:01
Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci stated that Turkey, Bulgaria, and Greece will expand the tripartite migration mechanism to include drug and criminal organizations, saying, 'We will transform the tripartite mechanism into a more effective cooperation in combating cross-border crimes, new-generation organized crime groups, and drugs.'
Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci continues his contacts in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Minister Ciftci made statements to the press after his visit to the Banyabasi Mosque.
“WHEN THEY ARE IN TROUBLE, THEY ALSO FLEE OUTSIDE TURKEY”
Minister Ciftci stated that the main purpose of his working visit to Bulgaria was to combat new-generation criminal organizations within the scope of cross-border crimes. Noting that these structures operate not only in Turkey but also in different countries, Minister Ciftci said, “We describe them in Turkey as new-generation criminal organizations or, in new terminology, new-generation terrorist organizations. They do not operate only in Turkey. When they are in trouble, they also flee outside Turkey. They carry out their activities in different countries. Therefore, while combating these organizations, we also need to unite our forces.”
TRIPARTITE MECHANISM FROM TURKEY, BULGARIA, AND GREECE
Announcing that the scope of the tripartite mechanism established between Turkey, Bulgaria, and Greece will be expanded, Minister Ciftci stated, “We will transform the tripartite mechanism we previously developed for combating irregular migration into a more effective cooperation on cross-border crimes, new-generation organized crime organizations, and combating drugs, and we will focus on these.”
Stating that the next meeting of the tripartite mechanism will be held in Istanbul, Minister Ciftci noted that cooperation between Turkey, Bulgaria, and Greece will be strengthened with new areas of struggle.
“NEW-GENERATION CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE ALSO HYBRID ORGANIZATIONS”
Drawing attention to the fact that new-generation criminal organizations are hybrid structures operating in different crime areas, Minister Ciftci said, “New-generation criminal organizations are also hybrid organizations. They operate in a wide variety of areas.”
Emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in combating these structures, Minister Ciftci stated, “Therefore, in order to combat them, countries, all countries, need to cooperate and unite their forces.” Minister Ciftci also stated that he will carry out similar visits to Georgia, Greece, Germany, and Italy in the coming days to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against cross-border crimes.
“THERE HAS BEEN A 97 PERCENT DECREASE IN PUSHBACKS”
Recalling that the main agenda of the tripartite mechanism meeting held between Turkey, Bulgaria, and Greece in April was combating irregular migration, Minister Ciftci said, “Thankfully, as a result of the effective work of this tripartite mechanism, we have made significant progress in combating irregular migration. As a result, there has been a 97 percent decrease in pushbacks.”