site.btaBorissov Participates in European Council Members' Video Conference on COVID-19

Sofia, October 30 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov
participated in Thursday's  informal leaders' video conference
which focused on COVID-19, the government information service
said. The state and government leaders exchanged information on
the best practices and better organization of the systems in
handling the pandemic.

Borissov, who tested positive for coronavirus on October 25,
took part in the meeting from his home.

He reaffirmed Bulgaria's position that the Member States should
continue their efforts to stay united in the face of the
COVID-19 challenge. Coordination against the novel virus should
be maintained at EU level without interruption.

Addressing the meeting, Borissov stressed that Bulgaria has
increased its testing capacity dramatically. He also noted the
importance of coordination and a concerted approach by all the
Member States in line with the European Commission's
recommendations.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister called for a realistic approach to
the purchase of vaccines based on the countries' needs. It is
not just immunization campaigns but transparent information and
guarantees for the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines
which will be available on the EU market that are key to the
public's trust, he said.

Borissov said the ongoing health crisis proved that a European
Health Union already exists, based on shared values, mechanisms
of voluntary cooperation and effective coordination among the
Member States.

"We all knew what would happen with COVID-19, that is why I
insisted on a single medical protocol, solidarity and a fair
access to vaccines in the EU," Bulgaria's Prime Minister said
before the video conference. NV/DD