site.btaBulgarian EU Presidency Minister Pavlova: No Risk for Bulgaria Losing Presidency

Sofia, July 11 (BTA) - There is no risk for Bulgaria to lose its upcoming EU Presidency, said Minister for the Bulgarian EU Presidency in 2018 Liliyana Pavlova here on Tuesday, adding that such information in the media is fake news. She commented before journalists the recently circulated information in the media that there are demands among MEPs from various countries to have Bulgaria's EU Presidency withdrawn. Pavlova presented the process of Bulgaria's preparations for hosting the Presidency next year before a forum, organized by PanEuropa Bulgaria.

There are no problems or unsolved issues for the Bulgarian EU Presidency, a team has been created and the first draft of the Presidency priorities is ready. "We are also ready with the calendar of events," Pavlova said, adding that six months before the start, there is a clear framework regarding the dossiers, the priorities and the people who will be working towards completing a successful EU Presidency.

The Minister also commented the situation concerning Sofia's NDK Convention Center, which will be the main venue where meetings will be held. The Bulgarian EU Presidency does not revolve around the NDK case at all, she said, adding that the Convention Center is merely a place to hold meetings. She described as yet another round of fake news the information that NDK will not be ready for the Presidency.

Pavlova dismissed Miroslav Borshosh as NDK Executive Director on June 26 over alleged systematic non-compliance with instructions from the NDK owner and unsound financial management of the Congress Centre that jeopardize the ongoing refurbishment of the NDK building to meet the requirements of the EU Presidency. Borshosh countered that he refused to sign any public procurements connected with the preparation of NDK for the EU Presidency under pressure and in conditions which were at odds with the rules and the law. He was subsequently reinstated tot he post after a meeting with Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, only to withdraw later for the duration of the assigned probes into NDK's financing.