site.btaEU Experts, Politician Discuss Multiannual Financial Framework at High-Level Conference in Sofia

Sofia, March 9 (BTA) - EU experts and politicians gathered in Sofia on Friday to discuss the EU budget at a high-level conference on the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The event is on the calendar of the Bulgarian EU Council Presidency.

"The Bulgarian Presidency will seek smooth progress of the EU budget negotiations," Bulgarian Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov said in his opening remarks at the forum. "We are witnessing serious challenges to the European Commission. That is why the MFF subject is a key priority of the Bulgarian Presidency and beyond," he pointed out. He noted the importance of financing research and development and defence and migration policy through the European budget.

"A minimum standard of public services has to be guaranteed to the poorer regions, too," the Finance Minister added. "The EU economy is recovering and labour-market and financing conditions are improving, and I believe that, by showing a moderate and creative political ambition, we will cope with these challenges and will ensure common financial stability and the achievement of long-term economic, employment and income growth," he said.

"The Bulgarian Government attaches great importance to identifying the priorities and policies that we want to finance before focusing on the budget figures," Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said in her opening remarks.

"At this meeting, we will try to orient the Commission about what Member States think about this important issue. Whenever we prepare a MFF we think it is difficult, but now, after Brexit, the new priorities, the upcoming European elections in 2019, the challenges will be even greater," she pointed out. "What is important is to ensure a balance between the new policies, security, migration and innovation, and the traditional policies that have already contributed to making the EU what it is," Zaharieva said. "This combination is possible through greater effectiveness and flexibility," she pointed out. "EU citizens want us to provide security for their life and health, for the Union borders and for their jobs. Financing the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy is important for their future," the Deputy Prime Minister stressed in conclusion.