site.btaBulgarian, Irish Prime Ministers Discuss Matters on Europe's Agenda

Sofia, January 5 (BTA) - The integration of the Western Balkans, Bulgaria's EU Council Presidency, this country's entry in the Eurozone, and the EU budget were some of the topics discussed by Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar here on Friday.

Varadkar is on a working visit to Bulgaria. He is the first EU Prime Minister to visit Sofia for the Bulgarian EU Presidency.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Borissov said: "We have Ireland as a good friend and like-minded partner on our side during Bulgaria's EU Council Presidency. One thing we share is that we are in favour of a most stable, united and strong Europe, and we believe that we will be able to cope with the present difficulties."

The Irish Prime Minister said the two discussed the Western Balkans, among other topics. He added that for his country the EU has always been more than an economic project. It has to do with the peace process and should guarantee prosperity, security and democracy in the region.

Varadkar expressed support for the EU accession of the countries of the Western Balkans and offered help so that their prosperity and security can be guaranteed.

Borissov said: "Every prime minister who is on our side is of great help. Every prime minister, chancellor, president who participates in the EU Council is extremely important to us when we raise the question of the Western Balkans. It is important to work for the advancement of the Western Balkans through infrastructure projects, cohesion, accession, competitiveness."

Varadkar said he expected Sofia to influence Europe's agenda and to take the opportunity to show Bulgaria to the Europeans and Europe. Ireland is taking on the responsibility and commitment of working for Bulgaria's success.

The Irish Prime Minister said Dublin would be glad to see Bulgaria join the euro, adding that competition is a good thing in Europe and that there should be competition among the Member States.

Regarding taxes, he stressed the need to pay attention to corporation tax and the financing of the national budget. Ireland joined the EU in 1973 and reached the EU's level of prosperity in the 1990s, said Varadkar. He assumes that Bulgaria will reach the economic standards of the other EU countries in the coming decades.

The EU's next budget was also high on the agenda of the meeting. Varadkar stressed it should be very well financed, adding that although Ireland is not a beneficiary of the structural funds, he knows they are important for the transformation of the Bulgarian economy.

Commenting on Brexit, Varadkar said Ireland considered it a serious matter and accepted it with regret. His country wants to make sure that the second phase of Brexit negotiations will be conducted in the best possible manner and the EU and the UK will keep the best possible relations.