Bulgaria and Slovenia exchange views on priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council starting on 1 July
16 June 2021 News
The priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, starting on July 1, and Bulgaria's views on the development of key issues on the European agenda in the second half of 2021 were the focus of today's political conferences between Bulgaria and Slovenia. On the Bulgarian side, the consultations were led by Rumen Alexandrov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and on the Slovenian side - by Gasper Dovjan, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia. Bulgaria supports the emphasis placed by the future Slovenian Presidency on the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The two interlocutors agreed that the introduction of digital COVID certificates in the EU is an important step that should facilitate free movement and contribute to the revitalisation of the economy and tourism. Deputy Minister Alexandrov noted that Bulgaria is one of the 15 member states that have started issuing certificates since June 1. Work should also be done to achieve compatibility with certificates issued by third parties, he added.
Regarding overcoming the economic consequences of the crisis, Rumen Alexandrov and Gasper Dovjan noted the importance of the entry into force of the new Next Generation EU Instrument, which will help member states in their economic recovery. The Bulgarian Deputy Minister expressed support for the ambitions of the Slovenian Presidency to work for the timely approval by the Council of the national recovery and sustainability plans.
The topic of EU enlargement was also touched upon during the consultations. The Bulgarian side reaffirmed its consistent support for the European integration of the countries of the Western Balkans upon fulfilling the relevant criteria, including compliance with the good neighbourly relations. The Bulgarian position was also confirmed, based on the Declaration of the National Assembly and the Framework Position of the Government of October 2019, regarding the conditions under which Bulgaria will be able to give the green light to start negotiations with Republic of Northern Macedonia.