By the end of the year four municipalities located in high risk areas would get their own institutions to counteract human trafficking.

Centres for the aid and protection of human trafficking victims would be established in two of the municipalities.

These developments are described in the national programme for prevention and countering human trafficking and for victim protection, a Council of Ministers press release said.

Three crisis centres would be established by the end of the year. These would offer shelter for children victims of human trafficking.

A website and a guide would provide information on international regulations and institutional frameworks for countering human trafficking. A national telephone line for victims would be established, as well.

By the end of the year Bulgaria would ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, accepted on May 15 2005.