site.btaPrime Minister Borissov Attends Christian Social Union Session in Berlin

118 POLITICS-PRIME MINISTER-VISIT TO BERLIN-amp 1

Prime Minister Borissov Attends
Christian Social Union Session
in Berlin


September 3 (BTA) - Addressing a session of the Christian Social Union (CSU) Group in the Bundestag on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that Germany is a strategic partner of Bulgaria in the EU and a close collaborator within NATO.

Borissov noted the constructive cooperation between the two countries which is marked by longstanding traditions and excellent prospects given that in 2019 the two countries celebrate the 140th anniversary of establishing of diplomatic relations.

In his speech the Bulgarian Prime Minister highlighted the current EU agenda.

Borrisov said: "Bulgaria is an active and consistent supporter of the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries. During Bulgaria's EU presidency we made big efforts to reinstate the issue on the EU's agenda, because the EU integration of the region is a strategic investment in Europe's peace, democracy, prosperity, security, and stability."

He underscored that Bulgaria's chairmanship of the Berlin Process is in acknowledgement of Bulgaria's contribution to the European path of the Western Balkans.

Borissov also spoke of the 2021-2027 EU budget and the need for efficient distribution of resources between EU's various priorities.

The Prime Minister dwelled on EU's security and unity and on issues related to the next institutional cycle in the EU.

Prime Minister Borissov is a guest of honour at the CSU session in the Bundestag at the invitation of group leader Alexander Dobrindt.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Borissov, Dobrindt
described the Bulgarian Prime Minister as "one of our closest
friends in Europe" and praised Borissov and his government's
achievements in the recent years, the information service of the
Bulgarian government said in a press release Tuesday.

Dobrindt also said that the economic relations between Germany and Bulgaria, and between Bavaria and Bulgaria, are extremely close. The German MP noted Bulgaria's economic development, especially in the financial sector. He said that economic growth leads to improved living standards, noting that "the trade balance is becoming ever more impressive". "At the moment Germany imports more from Bulgaria than what it exports there," Dobrindt said.

The German MP also thanked Bulgaria for guaranteeing the
protection of the EU external border. He said he sees tangible
progress in respect of two important topics for Bulgaria:
joining the border-free Schengen Area and the eurozone.

Borissov for his part said that Bulgaria's being admitted in ERM
II will guarantee even more investments. In respect to the
Schengen Area, he said that Bulgaria even now uses the Schengen system in counteracting terrorism, contraband trade and drugs trafficking. The Bulgarian Prime Minister said that his country has 100 per cent exchange with all German and European services.

Borissov also said that Bulgaria's agreement concerning
migrants with Turkey is working. He stressed the importance of
the Balkans becoming "an attractive part of Europe".

Approached by a reporter, Dobrindt said that the possible siting
in Bulgaria of a big automotive plant by a German car maker "is in debates". Bulgaria and Turkey are vying for a Volkswagen car plant the decision regarding which is expected shortly. "We all know that this is an economic question, a business decision
where politics cannot interfere. On the other hand, we know that politics sets the political framework and our meeting is in
this context," Dobrindt is quoted as saying. IG/ZH,PP
//