"Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maria Gabriel announced that the budget of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings will be increased by 194%. It transpired during the national conference on the prevention and combating human Trafficking. ‘"To address this issue, we need to eliminate the root causes, with poverty being the primary one.Penalties for human trafficking are several times lighter compared to other lucrative forms of organized crime, such as drug and arms trafficking, said Mariya Gabriel. In her opinion, the severity of the punishment should be proportionte to the crime.

"Similar trends are observed in the smuggling of migrants – a crime closely linked to human trafficking. Experience shows that criminal groups often engage in both types of crimes, generating substantial profits", said Bulgaria’s Minister of Interior Kalin Stoyanov.

In a video message to the forum, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson emphasized that real results in the fight against human trafficking can be achieved only if Bulgaria is a full member of the Schengen area.