site.btaPM Borissov Speaks Out after First Year in Office

Sofia, May 4 (BTA) - "I am proud that we managed to reduce the sovereign debt by 2.3 billion leva. I am ashamed that we were unable to convince the public that we should adopt the Istanbul Convention as most European countries did," said Friday Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, speaking exclusively to Nova TV after the first year in office of his third cabinet.

THE COALITION PARTNERS

Borissov underscored that Europe has no negative comments with regards to the actions of the partners in the ruling coalition.

"They have complete trust in us and I have heard nothing but praise about Bulgaria," he said.

Commenting on a visit by Ataka leader Volen Siderov to Crimea, Borissov said that Siderov wants to preserve the identity of his party before his voters.

With regards to a proposal by Volya leader Vesselin Mareshki for a referendum on Bulgaria's membership in NATO, the Prime Minister said that this had to do with the upcoming elections in 2019. He said it was normal for parties in the ruling coalition to have different positions as long as they stood by the coalition programme.

IS THERE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRESIDENT?

"The salvo is coming from him at us and this is doing only harm. President Radev acts as if he is president of only two parties the Bulgarian Socialist Party and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms," said Borissov of the war of words between the President and the government.

Borissov said that in order to resolve the conflict, he ordered his ministers to ask for meetings with the President every day as they were the ones that approved public procurement bids and were responsible for their implementation.

BULGARIA'S MILITARY EQUIPMENT

The Prime Minister commented on the three Spartan military transport planes acquired by the Bulgarian armed forces. "There are no contracts for their maintenance, and now we are making one from two. They are not equipped with rifles or machines guns, either," said Borissov.

The 12 Cougar helicopters were also with no armament. Currently only four were operable and the other eight had been grounded.

The three Panther helicopters are too expensive even for the French armed forces.

THE EURO AND THE EUROZONE

"I truly hope that life won't become more expensive after the adoption of the euro. Of course merchants can speculate with the prices."

He was adamant that an entry into the eurozone will bring in only advantages for Bulgaria.

"We are making such efforts as this will drive down loan interest and provide stability," he said. He added that Bulgaria is among the few countries which did not sell their gold reserves during his first tenure.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Borissov commented on a recent Reporters Without Borders report which ranks Bulgaria 111th in terms of freedom of speech.

"The problem with the freedom of speech rests with media owners. We can't interfere. What can we do? Are the Bulgarian National Radio and the Bulgarian National Television working for the government, do you see a pro-government policy? I haven't done a single interview there. So that's why we are drafting a law which will shed light on media ownership and the European Parliament is tackling the matter. How can we stop Peevski and Prokopiev from warring? I don't know and that's why I am doing nothing," said Borissov.

FOODSTUFFS DOUBLE STANDARDS

Consumers should know what they are buying, said Borissov.

According to him, it will be good if there are two prices for the same product: with the original ingredients and with cheaper ingredients.

FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

"Corruption is a plague which is crushing us every day at every level," said the Prime Minister.

"I hope that this will teach them a lesson. I personally don't like such displays," said Borissov of the arrest of a Sofia borough mayor.

He urged the public to give a chance to the new counter-corruption body.