22.01.2018
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov spoke with European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans. The focus of the conversation were the priorities of the first Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Timmermans expressed confidence that our country will employ the necessary efforts to pursue all the major issues on the European agenda. During the conversation, the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries was widely discussed. The two agreed that stability in the region is key for Europe as a whole, and it is therefore important for those countries to have a clear European path of integration. Prime Minister Borissov also highlighted the importance of connectivity of the Western Balkans through infrastructure projects that will boost the economic and cultural development of the countries, as well as their relationship with Europe. The Bulgarian Prime Minister assured Timmermans that Bulgaria as President of the EU Council would seek agreement on all issues, including migration, EU-Turkey relations, digitization, and Brexit, and will work for the unity of the European Union.
The debate spurred by the Istanbul Convention in Europe was also discussed during the meeting. Prime Minister Borissov underlined that he will make the necessary efforts so as to have the document ratified by the Bulgarian Parliament, as he assured the European Parliament during the presentation of the presidency priorities. “We will not tolerate violence against women and children,” Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said at the meeting and thanked Frans Timmermans for the excellent cooperation with the European Commission.
