site.bta Claims That Government Is No Guarantor for Bulgaria's NATO, EU Membership Are Outright Lie - PM Borissov

Claims That Government Is No Guarantor for Bulgaria's NATO, EU Membership Are Outright Lie - PM Borissov

Sofia, July 20 (BTA) - The only thing that is unchangeable in Bulgaria's policy is its membership in NATO and the EU. This is not a subject of discussion, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said before the government meeting Wednesday.

Borissov firmly said he wanted to disperse rumours that the incumbent government is not a guarantor for Bulgaria's membership in both organisations, calling them outright lies, fabrications and a desire for pre-election campaigning. To claim that the ministers of defence and foreign affairs guarantee NATO, while the rest of the cabinet are seemingly an obstacle is a lie, the PM said. Borissov added that he has visited all bases with the Minister of Defence, the country has participated in many exercises and all motions relevant to NATO have passed though the Council of Ministers and Parliament.

Borissov was speaking in response to claims of Democrats for Strong Bulgaria leader Radan Kunev Wednesday morning that "on the matter of NATO there are two ministers that defend Bulgaria's interests and a Prime Minister who undermines their efforts," without, however, mentioning him in name.

This government is the only one with real power on all matters relevant to NATO and EU, Borissov said. "Bulgaria has been cited as an example of the most loyal and good partners of both in the Balkans. With what have we given occasion for such manipulative lies and attempts to achieve a split between the ministers by someone who obviously wants the Bulgarian Socialist Party, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms and the rest to return to power. What would the Defence Minister have done if we had not collected more funds (for rearmament) and would he have undertaken commitments to the army?" Borissov asked.