NEWS

President Rumen Radev in Brussels: the EU Should Preserve its Fundamental Values – Unity and Solidarity

“A trend exists whereby the EU could be transformed from a Union based on principles and values into a Union based on settling accounts and bargaining. I am here to voice Bulgaria’s clear support for the EU’s fundamental values - unity and solidarity.” This is what President Rumen Radev told journalists before the opening of the European Council meeting in Brussels today. The Head of State will present Bulgaria’s position at the EU summit and will take part in a debate dedicated to the White Book on the future of Europe.

The President emphasized that Bulgaria refuses to accept enhancing the differences in the European Union, nor does the country accept reinforcing the “two-speed Europe” trend and forming a center and a periphery.   “The debate on Europe's future based on the new mechanisms proposed in these five scenarios, has only just begun,” Rumen Radev said and recalled that the debates on the White Book will end in December 2017 when a decision will be made. “The problems remain open, so do the decisions. We must respond to the call of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker that the institutions of each Member State should make an analysis in such a way so that it reaches all citizens. We insist on adhering to the fundamental principles of unity and solidarity,” the President further said.

Bulgaria will support the reelection of Donald Tusk as President of the European Council for one more mandate, it emerged from the President’s words.

Earlier in the day the Head of State held a meeting with Michael Barnier, the European Commission’s chief negotiator on Brexit. The two shared the opinion that the EU should adopt a common approach within the whole negotiation process with Great Britain and that a mutually acceptable decision should be made on the status of the European citizens in the United Kingdom and that of the Britons in the European Union, which are over 4.4 million in total.

On the agenda of today’s meeting were issues related to foreign security and defense, migration, the relations between the EU and third countries and also economic and financial issues.