site.btaBulgaria Approves Draft Rome Declaration

Bulgaria Approves Draft Rome Declaration

Sofia, March 22 (BTA) - The Council of Ministers has approved Bulgaria's position for its participation in the March 25 Rome Summit of the state and government leaders of the EU Member States, the government information service said.

The formal meeting marks the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome on European integration. The participants will adopt a Rome Declaration which will set the EU's new agenda.

Bulgaria is satisfied that the text agreed in advance confirms the unity and relevance of the European project and includes cohesion both as a principle and as an EU instrument. Significantly, cohesion is mentioned explicitly in two of the four priorities, which fully chimes in with the positions Bulgaria has defended so far and forms a basis for further upholding the principles of Cohesion Policy both in future conclusions of the European Council as well as in the negotiations on the Multi-annual Financial Framework, which are due to start in 2018.

The government proposed to President Rumen Radev to participate in the Rome European Council and sign the Rome Declaration.

At Wednesday's meeting the cabinet adopted the position which will be expressed by President Radev in Rome, Deputy Prime Minister Deniza Slateva, who is responsible for the Preparation of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council, told reporters.

Divided into three main parts, the Rome Declaration briefly reviews the EU's values and historic achievements, presents the main challenges facing the EU, and sets four key priorities for the future EU Agenda, said Slateva. It is very gratifying that the agreed text of the declaration confirms the unity of the European project and includes cohesion both as a principle and as an EU instrument at the express request of Bulgaria, represented by President Radev.

Slateva said this is important for Bulgaria because upholding the principles of cohesion will be one of the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council in 2018. She set forth the four priorities of the Rome Declaration. The first priority is a safe and secure Europe, where all citizens can move freely, whose external borders are secure and protected, and which has an effective, responsible and sustainable migration policy. The second priority is a prosperous and sustainable Europe, which opens opportunities for growth and cohesion - again a Bulgarian contribution. The third priority is a social Europe. The fourth priority is a stronger Europe on the global scene.