site.btaPM Borissov Tells European Commission that Bulgaria Is Ready to Take Helm of EU Presidency

Brussels/Sofia, November 8 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told the European Commission Wednesday that Bulgaria is ready to assume the rotating EU Presidency in the first half of 2018. "Bulgaria is ready to take the helm of the EU Council. Our ambition is to make the Union stronger and more resilient during the Bulgarian Presidency," Borissov said, as quoted by his press office, as he attended a joint meeting of the Bulgarian government and the college of EU commissioners focusing on the upcoming Bulgarian Presidency and the ongoing preparation for it.

Borissov said that the Presidency is a big responsibility but after ten years of membership Bulgaria has proven to be a dependable and stable member.

He said that the motto of the Bulgarian Presidency, Unity Makes Strength, is a lesson which this country has learnt from its own history, and during its Presidency Bulgaria will seek accord and will work for unity.

"We are aware that there is a lot of serious work in store for us. This is why our efforts will be focused in three directions: consensus, competitiveness and cohesion," Borissov said as he underscored the three top priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency.

He said that tough Brexit talks during the Bulgarian Presidency will not overshadow other issues of importance for the European citizens, such as security and migration, economic development, building an energy union, protecting the environment and enhancing Europe's global role. "People expect of us tangible and visible results. We have to show responsibility and solidarity," he said.

He vowed utmost efforts for achieving consensus on the issues of security and migration, improving border controls, reforming the asylum system and distributing the future EU budget.

The Bulgarian government leader went on to point out the need for special attention to be paid to the Western Balkans. "It is in the best interest of the entire European Union to see this region secure, stable and moving forward. We are not going to create false expectations but we are going to work for broadening cooperation with them," he said pointing out the untapped opportunities for improving regional connectedness, including transport, communications and energy infrastructure.

Dwelling on the upcoming discussions on the next EU budget, Borissov said that the efforts to provide financing for new activities should not be at the expense of policies with proven effect such as the cohesion policy. "Bulgaria can be an example of the results of the cohesion policy. The EU cannot go forward without cohesion."

Borissov also said that improving the competitiveness of the EU and strengthening the single market is of huge importance for people and businesses in the EU.

He said that the future belongs to the digital single market and in a closer economic and monetary union. "We need to improve the management of the economies, a stable banking system and a clear framework for the operation of the capital markets. Bulgaria remains an advocate of closer integration and this is evidenced, among other things, in our ambition to join the euro zone."

Borissov expressed satisfaction with the open discussion he had with the college of EU commissioners and with the agreement between the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency and the working programme of the Commission, and voiced expectations that the fine cooperation between his government and the EC will continue.

Other speakers at the Wednesday meeting were Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, Vice President Frans Timmermans, Budget and Human Resources Commissioner Guenther Oettinger and the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Ministers Ekaterina Zaharieva and Tomislav Donchev, as well as Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov and the Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council, Liliyana Pavlova.