site.btaCaretaker PM: Bulgaria Should Show Clearly It Wants to Enter Eurozone ERM II

Caretaker PM: Bulgaria Should Show Clearly It Wants to Enter Eurozone ERM II

Sofia, March 16 (BTA) - Speaking at a public discussion on the Future of Europe and the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU held in Sofia Thursday, Prime Minister Ognyan Gerdjikov said that Bulgaria should show clearly that it wants to enter the eurozone European Exchange Rate Mechanism ERM II. "Bulgaria should have a plan to enter this most intimate EU circle and that calls for political will," Gerdjikov noted.

The forum was organized by PanEuropa Bulgaria, the European Commission Representation in Sofia and the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute at the Foreign Ministry.

The PM also said that if after the elections Bulgaria fails to form a government on time then the caretaker government should nominate a European commissioner, adding that this is his responsibility.

He described the EU is "a multi-layer system" and said this is why the answer to the question about what kind of Europe we want cannot be given at once, and in full. He is convinced that Bulgaria should participate in the analysis of the suggested scenarios with its own critical interpretation of how it may benefit or lose from each model.

According to the PM, Bulgaria's Presidency will be the time when all discussions, ideas and projects involving the White Paper will try to find a general European solution. He wants the White Paper to be seen not only as a way to reform the EU, but also as a way to reform Bulgaria. Gerdjikov urged the parliamentary forces to conclude a pact not to change the teams for preparation of the Bulgarian Presidency.

The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the preparation of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU, Deniza Slateva, underscored that her own government has kept these teams as the previous government left them.

The PM further pointed out that, geographically, Bulgaria is in the EU periphery, but it also has a key place. It is a medium-sized European country, with stable finances and an advancing economy, with wonderful opportunities for investment, gorgeous nature, smart and creative people.

The EU has always existed at many speeds, Gerdzhikov pointed out, citing as examples the Schengen Agreement and the eurozone.

The PM sees the future of Europe as united European states, adding that the aim is to unite Europe, but that it hasto be united in variety.