site.btaPrime Minister Borissov Takes Over Functions of National Coordinator for Preparing, Holding Bulgarian EU Presidency

Prime Minister Borissov Takes Over Functions of National Coordinator for Preparing, Holding Bulgarian EU Presidency

Sofia, August 31 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov takes over the functions of a national coordinator for the preparation and holding of the Bulgarian EU Presidency, it transpires from Borissov's report, approved by Cabinet on Wednesday, which proposes changes to the national mechanism for coordination and preparation of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2018, Cabinet's Press Service said.

Deputy Prime Minister Meglena Kuneva was the national coordinator until now.

The motives for the change are the fact that the Bulgarian EU Presidency was moved to the first half of 2018, as well as the need for a strong political commitment and speeding up the preparations. The goal is to achieve more efficient coordination in the implementation of activities included in the preparation plan, as well strengthen the commitment of Cabinet members.

The Prime Minister will be responsible for the general leadership and control of activities, assisted by the Council of Ministers' Coordination of EU Affairs Directorate.

Deputy prime ministers and ministers are designated as coordinators for the key areas. Deputy Prime Minister for European Policies Coordination and Institutional Affairs Meglena Kuneva will be responsible for the logistics, the Presidency's team, agenda and priorities. Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds and Economic Policy Tomislav Donchev will coordinate the infrastructure and building stock. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Roumyana Buchvarova will be responsible for security. Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov will oversee the budget, Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov will be responsible for the communications strategy, and Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov - for the cultural programme.

The regulatory functions of the National Centre for the Preparation and Holding of the Bulgarian EU Presidency are to be left unchanged. However, the thematic working groups, created by a Government decision last year, will be closed down.

The specific regulatory changes will be made during an upcoming Council of Ministers' meeting.