site.btaPrime Minister Borissov Attends Special European Council in Brussels

Brussels/Sofia, July 17 (BTA Correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) -
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov is taking part in the Special
European Council meeting on July 17 and 18 in Brussels. This is
the first time that EU leaders meet in person since
the COVID-19 outbreak in Europe.

EU leaders are meeting to discuss the recovery plan to respond
to the COVID-19 crisis, a new long-term EU budget and a proposed
 recovery instrument called Next Generation EU.

For Bulgaria the priority areas are the EU cohesion policy and
the Common Agricultural Policy. Regarding the Green Deal and the
 Just Transition Fund, Bulgaria holds that resources should be
provided by the Fund for promotion and development of green
energy facilities in regions which so far have not had energy
facilities.

Borissov is hopeful that the EU will reach an agreement on the
future EU budget as early as Friday. He made a brief statement
on arrival and spoke with Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis
before the meeting. Both Prime Ministers expressed confidence
that European leaders would reach an agreement.

"The European Union needs unity now more than ever. I am sure we
 will find a reasonable compromise," Prime Minister Borissov was
 quoted as saying by the Government's press service.

Later in the day, Borissov spoke with European Council President
 Charles Michel ahead of the Council meeting in Brussels, the
Government's press service said.

Prime Minister Borissov congratulated Charles Michel on his
intensive work and efforts to find a consolidated solution to
the European Recovery Plan.

Before the start of the Council meeting, Prime Minister Borissov
 congratulated German Chancellor Angela Merkel on her birthday.
The Bulgarian Prime Minister wished success to the German
Presidency of the EU Council and expressed confidence that the
realization of its goals will have a positive impact on the
entire European Union. Chancellor Merkel received a gift from
Prime Minister Borissov - a silver cup with rose oil. RI/ZH, DT
 

/СН/