site.btaMinister Pavlova Presents Bulgaria's EU Council Presidency Priorities at European Parliament

Brussels, December 6 (BTA) - Minister for Bulgaria's EU Presidency Liliyana Pavlova on Tuesday presented the priorities of the Presidency at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Speaking to the media, she said that four priorities, Europe's future, security and stability, the European perspective for the Western Balkans and digital economy were equally important, but special attention was paid to the European prospects and integration of the Western Balkans as Bulgaria wants to be remembered as the Balkan presidency.

Pavlova said: "For us it was extremely important to defend that priority. This is the first achievement of our presidency - that the issue was included in the EU agenda."

She said that the commitment had been confirmed by European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker and the European Parliament.

"We received full support including at today's meeting which gives us a chance to be backed by the Leaders' Agenda. This will make it a long-term commitment not just under the Bulgarian EU Presidency, because the issue of the EU enlargement and connectivity in the Balkans cannot be resolved in six months," the Bulgarian Minister said.

She said that the Western Balkans won't be given false hopes down their road to EU membership but will be given prospects and support because Europe and the European project is incomplete without the Western Balkans.