site.btaPM Borissov: Bulgaria Will Follow Venice Commission's Recommendations

October 1 (BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - Arriving in Brussels for the October 1-2 Special European Council, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov commented on the European Commission's report on the rule of law situation in the EU: "I would like to thank the Commission for its extremely objective report, which reflects Bulgaria progress and spells out what else we should do to excel in this area."

He said: "We will follow firmly the recommendations of the Venice Commission to deliver on all commitments as part of the monitoring of Bulgaria."

Referring to the Special European Council's agenda, which includes discussion of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Borissov said that due to its geostrategic location, Bulgaria is strongly affected by the conflicts going on around it. "Azerbaijan-Armenia relations are very important to the region and we call for an immediate ceasefire. We maintain exceptionally friendly relations with both countries, which are very important trading partners to us. Hopefully, a negotiated settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue will be achieved. We are firmly against third-party involvement in the conflict," said Borissov.

Regarding the conflict in the Eastern Mediterranean between Turkey, on the one hand, and Greece and Cyprus, on the other, the Prime Minister said it is of exceptional importance to the EU and Bulgaria and decisions based on dialogue are needed. Political decisions should be made immediately about Crimea, Ukraine and Belarus. As to Belarus, the situation can be resolved by new elections.

Borissov said Bulgaria is surrounded by conflicts on all sides: Kosovo and Serbia to the West, Cyprus, Greece and Turkey to the South, there is also Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Belarus, Crimea to the North. He stated: "I believe the EU is perfectly right to be making efforts to pacify our region." RI/DD

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