site.btaPM Borissov, European Council President Michel Discuss EU Recovery Plan in Video Conference

Sofia, June 29 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov had a video
 conference with European Council President Charles Michel. The
two officials discussed the EU Recovery Plan in the wake of the
COVID-19 crisis, and the new long-term budget of the EU, the
Cabinet press service informed on Monday.

This will also be the main topic at the first meeting in person
of the EU leaders after the coronavirus-related restrictive
measures were introduced. It will take place on July 17-18 in
Belgium's capital.

During the conversation, the Bulgarian Prime Minister said that
the European Commission's proposal of May 27 is exceptionally
balanced, bearing in mind the serious challenges caused by the
pandemic. He expressed hope that the proposal by the European
Council President on July 17-18 will also be balanced and will
factor in the starting position of every member state's economy,
 as well as its resilience to crises.

Prime Minister Borissov pointed out that it is important for
Bulgaria that the Cohesion and the Common Agriculture policies
preserve the levels of the current proposal. He also reminded
that EU's traditional budget policies are key for unifying the
common European standards in all member states, and for boosting
 competitiveness. Regarding the Multiannual Financial Framework,
 PM Borissov praised the adequate funding of migration and
security-related matters, which corresponds to his view that
protecting the outer borders of the EU is of utmost importance.

Prime Minister Borissov added that the EU's Just Transition Fund
 needs to be more flexible, so that it can meet most of the
current challenges the member states are facing. He proposed
that the Fund allot means to promote and develop green energy
capacities in regions where no energy capacities existed
previously. Thus, more regions will be able to contribute to the
 greenness of EU economy, PM Borissov said.

The video conference paid special attention to the proposal that
 Charles Michel will present to the leaders of the European
Council at the meeting in Brussels in mid-July. The proposal
includes updates of the Multiannual Financial Framework and the
recovery instrument Next Generation EU.

The press release reminds that the recovery instrument Next
Generation EU was created as a countermeasure against COVID-19,
and consists of three main pillars: supporting EU members states
 through investment and reforms; boosting EU economy through
stimulating private investment; and learning the lessons of the
crisis.

NV/MT