19.11.2020
“There is not full agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Recovery Package yet, so we continue to work on that,” said Prime Minister Boyko Borissov after the video conference that he attended of the European Council members. “The EU Solidarity Fund is still unavailable to the member states. At least for the time being we manage to cope; however, I hope that before the end of the year the European Parliament and the Council will find solutions that will release European payments to the member states,” Mr. Borissov said further.
Regarding the main subject of today’s Council meeting, the pandemic, the Prime Minister noted that the situation in individual member countries was reported. The Bulgarian Prime Minister noted that there are several countries where despite the very harsh measures that were enforced, figures show that the outcome is not is necessarily positive. Mr. Borissov recalled that the lockdown negatively affects the mind and health of the people who are confined in their homes. “Therefore, I believe that with good organization and strict measures – as repeatedly noted – we must make sure that people don’t mix, that they apply self-restrictions, that they wear facemasks in public places so that work continues, the parks, gardens and mountains stay open and people are free to move instead of being subjected to an order that compels them to stay at home. This our appeal: everyone should show responsibility and common sense,” the Prime Minister said.
Regarding the antigen tests, the Prime Minister noted that Bulgaria is prepared and that a sum of BGN 15 million is allocated to purchase them. “We want to know what the whole picture is once we reach the plateau and go down a bit,” Mr. Borissov added. As he said, the antigen tests are important to facilitate travel between European countries. Now that the Commission gives so many recommendations on this issue, it will be one of the things that will facilitate travels. This common approach and the recognition of the tests is an extremely important decision that we colleagues approved,” the Prime Minister stated.
Regarding vaccines, Prime Minister Borissov thanked the European Commission for its prompt work in providing the tools required. The Prime Minister recalled that Bulgaria participates in the full portfolio of vaccines, in line with European solidarity. “The expert team with the Commission works very well both at the level of health ministers and of national health inspectors who contribute and share absolutely all information about the modus operandi – the treatment and the confinement,” Mr. Borissov said. “The European Commission has done a huge amount of work and all our propositions have received appropriate and precisely formulated decisions,” the Prime Minister noted. He welcomed the strengthening of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) that, as he said, would bring full comfort and security to European citizens. “Vaccines will be free, voluntary and certified,” Mr. Borissov said firmly.
After the video conference Prime Minister Boyko Borissov met Health Minister Kostadin Angelov for a working meeting where they discussed the results of the European leaders’ discussion today.
