11.03.2022
Bulgaria has taken the lead in discussing European support for refugees from Ukraine, proposing a common mutual fund, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said after the end of the informal meeting of EU heads of state or government in Versailles. Prime Minister Petkov stressed the tremendous approval given by the leaders attending the meeting to Bulgaria’s proposal for European solidarity. The assessment of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is likewise positive. The Commission is to propose different options as to how to cover the costs that the countries now pay for themselves. Prime Minister Kiril Petkov singled out the Bulgarian model as a possible basis for the formulation of the overall European policy relevant to the matter.
Vis-à-vis the economic situation, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said that as oil and gas prices go up, growth declines. Given this situation, it is essential for European governments to promote their economies so that there is a stronger fiscal policy conducive to investment. Our budget fits exactly into this pattern: we have a budget deficit but it is an investment deficit and supports the Bulgarian economy, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister pointed out that a regular meeting of the European Council will be held soon to further address the issue and that European countries will make their proposals concerning these problems. These crises can be overcome when we work together in synergy, Kiril Petkov said.
