site.btaBulgarian PM: Europe's Future Lies in Federalism

Bulgarian PM: Europe's Future Lies in Federalism

Sofia, March 2 (BTA) - A day after the European Commission announced five scenarios for the EU's future, Prime Minister Ognian Gerdjikov said Europe's future lies in federalism. He told journalists: "Otherwise Europe cannot be on a par with the major economies - the United States, China and India."

He added: "Let's not try to guess the speed of Europe's development. All this is subject to quiet and open diplomacy and negotiations."

Bulgaria has never been a leading EU Member State, but "we don't want to be in Europe's backyard, either," he said.

Gerdjikov reiterated that his government would submit Bulgaria's bid for entry into the euro area's waiting room. He has set up a commission made up of experts from the central bank , from the largest private bank and financial experts to work on this matter.

The only bad thing is that Bulgaria has no EU commissioner, the Prime Minister said. This will not last too long because if a government fails to be formed after the March 26 parliamentary elections, Gerdjikov will nominate a commissioner. He declined to name a candidate, saying only that the nominee should be a woman because this is what the European Commission wants. LN/DD