site.bta"Our Countries Proved they Can Steer EU," PM Borissov Tells 15th Anniversary Summit

May 1 (BTA) - "Our countries proved that they can steer
the European Union," Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov
said, addressing a Together for Europe plenary session here on
Wednesday, marking the 15th anniversary of the start of the
major EU enlargement to Central and Eastern Europe, the
Government Information Service reported.

The heads of State and government of the countries that have
joined the EU since 2004 are holding a summit in Warsaw on the
initiative of Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

"'Security' is still the keyword today. Without security and
stability, European values are hardly defensible," Borissov
argued in his statement. He said that Bulgaria is doing an
excellent job protecting the EU border and attaches special
importance to strengthening control on all borders at EU-wide
level. The speaker stressed further that Bulgaria continues to
insist categorically on a fair sharing of the burden and added
that no Member State should be left to cope with the challenges
of migration on its own.

"Schengen is an achievement which we must preserve. Its future
must epitomize a united and single Europe," the Prime Minister
told the summiteers. He emphasized that full membership of the
Schengen Area remains a key priority for Bulgaria.

He was adamant that the European project will not be completed
without the Western Balkan countries' integration with the EU.

The Bulgarian head of government also stressed the need to keep
the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy,
including their adequate financing from the Union budget.
Borissov further highlighted the strategic significance of the
Energy Union, and in particular the acceleration of work on
regional energy projects and interconnectors.

"Bulgaria stands by its position that consensus is a must when
decisions are made in areas of mutual interest for all Member
States," the Prime Minister said, winding up his remarks. RY/LG

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