site.btaPrime Minister Borissov, European Council President Michel Discuss EU's Readiness for Current and Future Pandemics

December 1 (BTA) - During a video conference with European Council President Charles Michel on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that the coronavirus and the unprecedented measures for curbing its spread have strained the health care systems to the extreme. He urged for special attention to the EU's readiness to cope with pandemics and to the response of the Member States, both during the ongoing pandemic and to future health threats, the government information service said.

Michel is exchanging views with the state and government leaders of the Member States on the agenda of the December 10-11 European Council meeting, which will focus on: COVID-19, climate change, security and the EU's external relations.

Borissov said the Member States should remain focused on the access of all patients and of the vulnerable groups to adequate treatment through enhanced cooperation within the EU and on the international level.

The two also discussed the EU's target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The European Commission is expected to present an analysis of the economic, environmental and social consequences of the changes for the Member States. Borissov suggested that the country-specific restrictions and requirements for achieving the new goals should also be analysed.

He told Michel that given the serious pandemic situation, the EU cannot afford further delay, and that the next Multiannual Financial Framework and the Recovery Package should be approved quickly. The Bulgarian Prime Minister said that every effort should be made to reach agreement as soon as possible so as not to put at risk Europe's recovery and to enable people and businesses to access the EU's resources and programmes, which are much needed to aid the economies, as well as to continue cohesion and increase competitiveness and employment. RI/DD

/DT/