06.06.2017
With the new French President Emmanuel Macron we established a good start of cooperation and trust. As everyone in Europe, we hope that with him – with his youth and energy, but also with his experience as finance minister, we will be able to push a strong and united Europe forward. This was said by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov after his meeting at the Élysée Palace with the President of the French Republic.
“I believe that we held a good conversation on the main topics within the European Union, also those related to our Presidency,” noted Prime Minister Borissov. He emphasized the efforts that our country puts into entering the waiting room for the Eurozone and into becoming part of Schengen. “The efforts that we have made on the migration issue, for financial discipline and public finances, and the reforms that we have implemented are taken into consideration,” added the Prime Minister. Borissov announced that President Macron has accepted the invitation to visit Bulgaria – a visit that will give him the opportunity to gain confidence in the measures that our country has taken to protect the land and Black Sea borders of the Schengen Area. He clarified that Bulgaria can be viewed as a periphery but only geographically because the country is important for the wholeness, unity, protection and defence of the EU.
In front of journalists at the Élysée Palace, President Emmanuel Macron noted the strong will of Prime Minister Borissov to overcome the remaining stages so as to enter the waiting room for the Eurozone and into the Schengen Area. Macron underlined that Bulgaria has made a lot of efforts in both areas and that France will work together with our country for its integration in both zones. According to him, it is important to provide opportunities for all countries that are willing to deepen their integration to fulfill their willingness. The French President noted the strong European will of Borissov and stressed that “each time concrete efforts are being made France will stand by those who make them and such is the case.”
Bulgaria will preside over the Council of the EU in the first half of 2018 and from this point of view it was extremely important to have the opportunity to hold a strategic conversation on the agenda for the Presidency and Europe’s priorities in the short term, added President Macron. He drew attention to two European topics – improving social cohesion and border protection. “Bulgaria, which due to its geographic location is subject to pressure, has done a remarkable work in the recent years in facing the challenges of the migration wave,” said Macron and pointed out the need for improving the collective defence of Europe.
Prime Minister Borissov and President Macron highlighted the importance of the further development of the bilateral relations between Bulgaria and France, as well as the opportunity to implement common projects.
