site.btaPM Borissov: Europe Needs Strong Funds to Pay for Social Policies

Brussels/Sofia, March 21 (BTA) - Addressing a tripartite social summit for growth and employment in Brussels, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that Europe should have strong social and cohesion funds. The traditional forum brings together the heads of the European institutions and of the European social partners as well the prime minister of the country that holds the rotating EU presidency to discuss the main challenges to achieving higher social standards in Europe.

Borissov said that Bulgaria continues to actively work to boost Europe's social dimension which is a priority of the Presidency Trio: Estonia, Bulgaria and Austria.

The Prime Minister highlighted unemployment among the young and the development of human resources. He noted the existing inequality on the labour market, the payment gap between men and women and the need to strengthen the fundamental social rights of European citizens and mostly of people with disabilities.

Borissov said that the Bulgarian EU Presidency has made progress with regards to a number of legislative dossiers and the Posted Workers Directive. The Bulgarian Prime Minister said that the next European budget despite the Brexit effect should conform to the high aims of the European countries in the economic, social and environmental spheres which in turn calls for strong social and cohesion funds.