Following scandals with the French and Belgian missions in Bulgaria earlier this year, the Swedish embassy in Sofia is the latest to be accused of illegally issuing visas and even of trafficking people for bribes. However, according to Swedish diplomats in Sofia, the accusations are just speculation.

There have been no irregularities in the issuing of visas by the Swedish embassy in Sofia, which also issues Norwegian visas, Swedish ambassador Sten Ask told a special press conference last Thursday, reacting to media allegations. On Monday, Ask told The Echo he was shocked to read the accusations published in some newspapers.

"How can we be accused of taking bribes, when we are the ones that actually disclosed the case with the Norwegian visas?" said the ambassador.

Last June and July, over 700 Bulgarians, mainly Roma and ethnic Turks from the region of Rousse, sought political asylum in Norway. They said they were unemployed and poor and that they had gone to Norway in search of a better life. But a representative of the Norwegian immigration authorities said that tour operators seeking profit created the exodus to Norway. There were also allegations of illegal border trafficking.

Last week, the press reported that the Swedish embassy's visa department, which also functions as Norwegian Consulate General, issued visas to foreigners employing the services of the Turkish Goldemir Spor travel agency.

Goldemir Spor first applied for entry visas for a group of athletes at the Norwegian Consulate General in 1998. The head of the visa department did not make a decision according to the regulations, but referred the case to the Norwegian immigration authorities which issued a group visa.

In 1999, the travel agent again applied for an entry visa. Since Norway had not provided information that the previous group had arrived there, the Swedish embassy's visa department ran a thorough check, including who invited the would-be travellers, who organized the trip, and whether accommodation had been booked.

Following an inquiry by the Bulgarian Border Police Service, Swedish embassy experts and the Norwegian authorities refused a group entry visa. Goldemir Spor was investigated. Three of its bosses are under investigation in Norway.

Ask said that if the consular department has doubts in a particular case, it makes inquiries to the respective authorities. He said he would assume responsibility if there had been any irregularity in visa issuing.