31.07.2017
The Council of Ministers took the decision to submit Sofia’s application for hosting the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The application was submitted today in accord with established EU rules.
“This decision reflects Bulgaria’s commitment to the common European values and founding principles, as well as the willingness of our country to continue to contribute constructively to the confirmation of the goals of European policies, including in the field of public health,” points out the official letter by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov to the President of the European Council Donald Tusk and the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker. The letter describes the advantages of the Bulgarian capital as a location for EMA and expresses the expectation that Sofia’s application will be welcomed and positively evaluated.
By 30 September the European Commission will carry out a review of the submitted applications. The decision for the relocation of EMA should be taken in November.
EMA headquarters are currently located in London. Those are to be moved as a result of the procedure for the United Kingdom’s exiting the Union.
Bulgaria has good economic and social prospects, a stable economic development, a rapidly growing labor market, and a strong pro-European public opinion, is highlighted in the motives for the application. The letter also includes the advantages of our country in relation to the six criteria that will be taken into consideration by the European Commission when taking the decision for the relocation. Special attention in the letter is paid to the IT sector, which grows by 7,3 percent annually on average. The EMA headquarters will be integrated into a high-tech environment within the Sofia Tech Park, which is a strategic project of the Bulgarian state and the European Union.
“Bulgaria has well-established traditions and a renowned expertise in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors, as well as in the field of medical education. Bulgaria’s firm commitment to encourage research and innovation in these fields is another solid argument for relocating EMA to Sofia. The economically attractive services in education, healthcare and the living standards will ensure a unhindered and financially effective relocation for EMA,” points out Prime Minister Borissov in the letter.
He expresses his conviction that the upcoming decision for the relocation of the London-based agencies should take into consideration the Conclusions of the European Council from 2003 and 2008, which clearly formulate the preference that should be given to achieving a geographic balance in the distribution of EU agencies. “I believe that keeping this commitment will strengthen the fairness of the decision-making process on the EMA relocation and its result. In addition, this decision will strengthen the positive image of the EU as a Union of fairness, solidarity, and commitment to actual cohesion,” points out Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.
