Deputy Prime Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva Receives France’s European Affairs Minister
19 January 2018 News
Deputy Prime Minister for Judicial Reform and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva today received the European Affairs Minister of the French Republic Nathalie Loiseau, who is paying a working visit here.
Minister Loiseau congratulated our chief diplomat on the start of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council. “We expect a fruitful Bulgarian Presidency,” the French Minister added, stressing that Bulgaria is heading the EU Council at an important moment for the future of Europe.
“As holder of the Presidency, we will focus on the matters that are important for both Bulgaria and the EU. One of our key priorities in this respect is the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries. We see a direct link between their future and safeguarding Europewide security and stability,” Ekaterina Zaharieva noted for her part. She added that one of the main goals of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia in May is to deliver a clear political message of the Union’s commitment to the future of the countries in the region. “Needless to say, our friends of the Western Balkans will have to prove their readiness for thoroughgoing reforms. The European perspective is directly contingent on meeting certain criteria and rigorous conditions,” Zaharieva emphasised further on.
The Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and her French guest concurred that the EU should project a more visible presence in the region.
“It is important to demonstrate practical support to the countries in the region. This is especially important for young people because youth unemployment is exceedingly high in the Western Balkans,” Zaharieva said. As possible areas for practical action, she listed student exchange programmes, as well as seeking opportunities to support business start-up ideas, which would encourage young people to stay in their countries.
Ekaterina Zaharieva and Nathalie Loiseau also discussed the future of the EU, Brexit and the next multiannual financial framework, among other topics.
The two agreed on the need to achieve an effective and balanced allocation of funds in the future EU budget, as well as control the way these funds are spent.
“We must focus on the EU policies that bring added value to all Union citizens,” Zaharieva stressed.
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