site.btaPM Borissov Reports on Bulgarian EU Presidency, EP Unanimously Congratulates Bulgaria

Brussels/Strasbourg, July 3 (BTA Correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - Prime  Minister Boyko Borissov Tuesday presented to the European Parliament (EP) the results of the Bulgarian EU Council Presidency, noting as its biggest success the achievements on the topic of the Western Balkans. Without a united Europe there can be no peace and prosperity on the continent, he said.

Borissov described as a historic moment the agreement between Skopje and Athens on the Macedonia name dispute achieved in Sofia in May. In his words, the next  big step was the EU Council decision made in Luxembourg to launch pre-accession negotiations with Macedonia and Albania. Bulgaria gave a personal example with the conclusion of the Treaty of Friendship, Good-neighbourliness and  Cooperation with Macedonia, he added.

"We are pragmatic, we worked a lot on the region's connectivity, citizens need to see actual results in their everyday lives. We made effort to be honest mediators. We proposed and organized the [EU-Turkey leaders'] meeting in Varna, we restored the dialogue with Turkey," Borissov said.

He also said that the Bulgarian EU Presidency put a lot of effort into changing the Dublin Regulation. "We left no stone unturned," he told the MEPs. In his words, Europe yet again showed that it can find common solutions. "We achieved results in the name of Europe's better future. We sought consensus even when there were big contradictions," the Bulgarian PM noted.

Borissov commented that the complex external situation influenced the Bulgarian EU Presidency, and gave as examples the EU-US relations, the negotiations with London, the events in Africa, and terrorism. In his words, Bulgaria will continue to look ahead and work towards entry in Schengen and the Euro zone. "We have shown that we are a loyal partner and that we are patient. I believe in diplomacy and I am against the practice of vetoing European decisions," he said.

The Bulgarian PM went on to say that his country has a unique ethnic model. Reproaches and squabbles are normal in politics but confrontations should not be allowed between Bulgarian citizens of different religions, he argued, adding that he is constantly on the alert.

The Bulgarian EU Presidency made enormous efforts together with EU Chief Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier, they tried to achieve a normal divorce with the UK, Borissov said. He expressed the hope that common sense would prevail and an agreement would be reached that would protect the rights of British and EU citizens.

The EP unanimously congratulated Bulgaria on its achievements during its Presidency of the EU Council.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that the Bulgarian Presidency was very successful. Juncker said that the Bulgarian Presidency built bridges, brought people together, and delivered.

The EC President noted that Bulgaria managed to steer the work even in difficult conditions, including in respect of difficult issues for the country such as seconding of workers. Bulgaria achieved a key breakthrough about the Western Balkans, despite the initial decision on no accession within the current term of the EU institutions. "Excellent job, Boyko," Juncker said.

Manfred Weber (EPP) said that back in January, the Members of the European Parliament kept their fingers crossed and today are speaking about the fantastic results of the Bulgarian Presidency. Weber said that Europe advanced considerably thanks to the Bulgarian Presidency. The MEP said that the Schengen Area should be open to Bulgaria as the country has shown it deserves it.

Eric Andrieu (S&D Group) congratulated Bulgaria on the Presidency and noted the achieved advance in many areas. Andrieu especially noted the impressive work in respect of the Western Balkans, praising Bulgaria's approach and energy.

Angel Djambazki (European Conservatives and Reformists) said noted the excellent technical preparation for the Presidency. The MEP said that every Bulgarian understands the importance of not having a border between Ohrid and the Black Sea. Djambazki praised the policy of the Bulgarian government for preserving the balance in the EU and not punishing Poland and Hungary.

Ilhan Kyuchyuk (ALDE) said that stage-managed applause would interfere with the objective analysis. Kyuchyuk congratulated Bulgaria on the approach to the Western Balkans and said that Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina should not be forgotten.

Ska Keller (the Greens) noted that there remained unsolved questions in Europe in the past six months but said that Bulgaria was not to blame for this. Keller congratulated the country about the Western Balkans. She said she hoped that soon people will be able to travel to Bulgaria without passport checks.

There was a problem with the sound at the start of the plenary sitting after several MEPs had gone to the technical control room and cut off power, halting translation and holding up the plenary session by about 30 minutes, in support of striking interpreters.