site.btaCabinet Approves Bulgaria's Position on EU-UK Brexit Talks

Cabinet Approves Bulgaria's Position on EU-UKBrexit Talks

Sofia, April 26 (BTA) - The Council of Ministers Wednesday approved Bulgaria's positions for the April 27 EU General Affairs Council and the April 29 European Council in an EU27 format (without the UK). The two forums are to adopt the guidelines for the Brexit talks.

Bulgaria supports the core elements of the draft guidelines, including the EU's unified positions, meaning that there will be no separate negotiations between individual Member States and the UK; orderly withdrawal so as to reduce uncertainty for natural or legal persons; indivisibility of the four freedoms of the Single Market; the principle that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed"; and a phased approach, meaning that the European Council will determine when sufficient progress has been achieved in the negotiations under Article 50 to allow negotiations to proceed to the framework for the future EU-UK relationship.

Regarding the acquired rights of EU citizens, Bulgaria supports agreeing an enforceable and non-discriminatory arrangement protecting citizens' rights and ensuring legal certainty. Bulgaria sets a key priority on the protection of the rights of Bulgarian citizens in the UK, including in the context of coordination of the systems of social security and cross-border health care.

Another key area is the possible direct impact on the EU budget and the risk of restricted funding under the Cohesion Fund, the Structural and Investment Funds, increased uncertainty in various economic sectors and the risk of fragmentation of the Single Market, a possible asymmetry in customs treatment, etc.

Bulgaria expects the UK to fulfill all its commitments, including the implementation of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020, the EU-Turkey Statement on migration, and other international commitments undertaken during its EU membership.