site.btaEuropean Parliament President Schulz Expresses Support for Bulgarian Government

European Parliament President Schulz Expresses Support for Bulgarian Government


Brussels, December 5 (BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) -
European Parliament President Martin Schulz said on December 4
that he supports the new Bulgarian government, which is faced
with major challenges, and he hopes that the government will
remain stable.

Schulz was speaking in Brussels at a joint news conference with
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov after the two met
earlier in the day. The meeting had also been attended by
Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Labour and Social Policy
Minister Ivailo Kalfin.

Schulz said that he and his Bulgarian guests found that they
share a number of common political views and a common will for
cooperation. The sides discussed plans to increase the minimum
wage in Bulgaria and to award Christmas bonuses to socially
vulnerable Bulgarians. Schulz said these steps show common sense
and will contribute to the country's stability.

The German politician and the Bulgarian officials also had a
detailed discussion on the South Stream natural gas pipeline
project. Schulz said the sides will keep each other posted on
the matter, but he declined to say more.

Regarding Bulgaria's expected accession to the Schengen
border-free area, Schulz said the EU is a law-governed community
and when the member states of that community meet certain
requirements, this entails legal rights for them. This is the
right perspective from which Bulgaria's Schengen entry should be
viewed, not from a political perspective, he added.

Borissov thanked for the support for his government. He said the
government is the only guarantor ensuring that reforms will be
made, stability will be maintained and the financial crisis will
be overcome.