site.btaMichel Barnier Visits Bulgaria

Michel Barnier Visits Bulgaria

Sofia, December 19 (BTA) - Michel Barnier, the European Chief Negotiator for Brexit, met with Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borissov here on Tuesday.

Barnier told reporters the Bulgarian EU Council Presidency would be of exceptional importance for the Brexit talks. Now that the first phase of the negotiations with the UK has been completed, the rights of EU citizens in the UK, and of UK citizens in the EU-27, have been protected. This also applies to Bulgarian citizens in the UK, he said, adding that he would discuss the UK's withdrawal from the EU with ministers, MPs and employers.

Borissov raised the issue of Bulgarian citizens' rights in the UK several times during the talks, said Barnier. The agreement in principle, which will become a treaty in a few months, includes the Bulgarians right to stay in the UK, their access to social services, the portability of social security benefits, and the right to family reunification. This also applies to Britons who have decided to live in Bulgaria, said Barnier. The talks on the economy and the free trade rules are important. Cooperation in aviation, justice and European stability should also develop.

The EU and Britain should work together but in a different framework, Barnier stressed. Cooperation should encompass the fight against terrorism, defence and security. Bulgaria is well prepared to continue working on these subjects, he said.

Borissov said he hoped Bulgaria would help to move forward the talks with Britain. The rights of Bulgarians who are already in Britain have been guaranteed for life. "Further terms for the period after the 'divorce' are yet to be negotiated because we do not know the Brexit parameters," he said.

Much is at stake during the talks in social, financial and economic terms, according to Borissov. If Brexit is not done through the right steps, it may cause damage worth billions and put human fates at a crossroads, he said. He expressed a hope for reaching a balance on more subjects, including defence cooperation and security. The special services should work in unison on terrorism, money laundering and migration, he said. "We are starting to work hard on the EU's budget which will get 10,000 million euro less each year after Britain's withdrawal," said Borissov.

Borissov said: "I believe Brexit will be difficult. The political declaration should be prepared well in the next few months and I hope we will reach a common position."

He concluded by expressing a hope that Britain would rejoin the EU.