“Capacity of the refugee centres in Bulgaria is filled at 48%,” said Nikola Kazakov, Chairperson of the State Agency for Refugees, speaking for Nova TV.

In his words, there is a four-time increase of the number of citizens of Iraq, who wish to enter the country.

“There are Iraqis, who are looking for protection on the territory of any country where there is no war,” the expert remarked.

“The economic migrants, on the other hand, look for better living conditions in Bulgaria. When we ascertain that someone is an economic migrant, we refuse to provide protection,” Mr Kazakov commented further.

“We can provide shelter to 6,500 people,” he added.

Commenting on the refugees under procedure to obtain a status, Nikola Kazakov said that 59 of them were aged between 18 and 34 and were absolutely economically active. “80% are not educated, 3% have higher education, while 5% - college education,” he explained.

“8 out of 893 children at the centres go to school. Those parents, who do not send their kids to school, ground their decision with the fact that they do not wish to stay in Bulgaria,” the expert remarked.