site.btaBulgarian Prime Minister and German Chancellor Discuss Upcoming EU-Western Balkans Summit

Aachen/Sofia, May 10 (BTA) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday discussed the upcoming EU-Western Balkans Summit which will be held in Sofia on May 17. The two met in the German city of Aachen, where they attended a ceremony for awarding the Charlemagne Prize to French President Emmanuel Macron, the Bulgarian government's information service reported.

Merkel described as an "indisputable success" Borissov's efforts to set the Western Balkan countries on the path to EU membership. Merkel reportedly said: "The topic of the Western Balkans was not an easy priority, but you, Boyko, did a wonderful job and you should remain the mediator on that topic."

Borissov said Bulgaria will continue to work actively in order to make sure that connectivity in the Western Balkans remains a priority beyond the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council, which expires in the middle of this year. Borissov said: "Despite the tension between some countries regarding certain matters, their leaders are keeping the big goal of EU membership in sight." He stressed that transport, infrastructure and digital connectivity of the countries in the region is important for Europe's stability and prosperity. "I think this is what we should be doing: we should make the people in those countries feel that the EU and we are with them," Borissov stated.

During his conversation with Merkel, Borissov also raised the issue of the European Commission's controversial proposals in the Mobility Package, which affect Bulgarian road hauliers. He noted that the transport sector generates 15 per cent of Bulgaria's GDP and the country will lose 16 billion leva (approximately 8 billion euro) annually if the proposed new regulations are adopted. The proposed rules will affect over 100,000 Bulgarian families, and many of the country's businesses - mainly small and medium-sized companies - will go bankrupt, he warned.

Merkel said she understands Bulgaria's concern, and said it is necessary to find an acceptable solution for all EU member states.

Borissov also brought up the issue with French President Macron. The two agreed to discuss it in greater detail on the telephone.

While in Aachen, Borissov talked with European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi as well. They discussed Bulgaria's readiness to apply for the eurozone. The two noted the country's good macroeconomic, fiscal and financial indicators and the excellent cooperation between the ECB, the Bulgarian Finance Ministry and the Bulgarian National Bank.

During a separate session, Borissov and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko looked at the efforts to implement the Minsk agreement. According to the Bulgarian leader, the best solution to the situation can only be found at the negotiating table and with the instruments of diplomacy.