site.btaPM Borissov Urges EU Leaders for Maximum Support in Medical Dimension of Pandemic

July 18 (BTA corr. Nikolay Jeliazkov) - Maximum
support in the medical aspect of the pandemic and a focus on
social assistance for vulnerable groups and job retention: these
 are Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's main points during the
Special European Council meeting in Brussels, the government
press centre informed on Saturday.

Before the start of the discussions, Borissov pointed out that
it would be a mistake to think the pandemic is over, as neither
a vaccine, nor a cure have been developed yet.

According to him, it is very important to support medical
workers and institutions - the medical side of the pandemic as a
 whole - and to establish uniform medical protocols for all
European countries regarding face masks, social distancing,
schools, restaurants, etc.

Another major point of interest, according to Borissov, is
European solidarity. He said it is important to provide aid and
grants for vulnerable groups and people who have lost their jobs
 to the pandemic, and to pay special attention to employment
retention schemes. The Bulgarian Prime Minister believes that
the EU should focus on the following 6 to 12 months when the
socioeconomic crisis is expected to be at its worst. He added
that long-term crisis recovery solutions will have to be
discussed in the meantime.
   
PM Borissov underscored that the states providing the most
financial resources have the right to strive for greatest
control over the absorption of these funds, which is only
natural. He expressed support for the so-called "thrifty four"
(Austria, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands), adding that
within the structure of the EU, the body that exercises control
is the European Commission. Borissov also praised his Dutch
counterpart Mark Rutte regarding the instrument allowing every
state to table questions it deems important for discussion by
the ministers of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council
(ECOFIN). According to Borissov, it is a good compromise.

Borissov was disappointed that despite the general consensus to
refrain from comments before a final decision is reached, some
of his colleagues have leaked statements made by others. The
story was covered by the Financial Times. According to it, a
heated exchange took place over dinner on Friday, when Borissov
accused his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte of wanting to be "the
police of Europe" by handing himself the right to decide if
countries' national reform plans were ambitious enough to
justify EU financial support.
RY/MT

/МТ/