site.btaDeniza Slateva: "Bulgaria's EU Presidency Gives a Chance of National Consensus"

Deniza Slateva: "Bulgaria's EU Presidency Gives a Chance of National Consensus"

Sofia, April 3 (BTA) - Deputy Prime Minister Deniza Slateva said Bulgaria stint at the Presidency of the EU Council is seen as a chance of achieving a national consensus, concord and continuity on European and foreign policy topics strategically important to Bulgaria.

Slateva, who is responsible for the preparation of the Bulgarian EU Council Presidency in the first half of 2018, Monday participated in a roundtable on "The EU's Black Sea Agenda/Political Priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council".

She said the success of the Bulgarian Presidency would depend largely on how this country reacts to the challenges and opportunities. "The key to success is not just good coordination and organization, but a commitment to seeing Bulgaria's EU Presidency as a unifying national ambition and an opportunity to demonstrate unity, dignity and leadership to Europe. The EU Presidency will give Bulgaria a chance to consolidate its reputation as a proactive, predictable, worthy, equal European partner," Slateva commented.

The key priorities during Bulgaria's stint at the EU Presidency include external and internal security, a comprehensive migration policy and a permanent commitment to solidarity with the Member States along the EU's external border, sustainable employment, dealing with youth unemployment, support for small and medium-sized businesses, improving the link between education and the labour market, equal access to quality education and health care, guaranteeing energy security and independence, continuing the development and upholding the philosophy of Cohesion Policy after 2020.

Slateva noted the Black Sea Region's strategic importance for the EU. The Black Sea Region needs a vision for its development as part of the global community. "The EU's active presence in the Black Sea Region will open up new prospects and opportunities, but will require more coherent, long-term initiatives if it is to contribute to greater stability and prosperity," she said.