PM Boyko Borissov was received in two consecutive days over the past week by the leaders of two of the most important EU member-states – French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Both Paris and Berlin sent their encouraging messages at the start of the 3rd Borissov cabinet.

What is particularly precious for Bulgaria is the firm readiness for support stated during the forthcoming rotational presidency of the EU – Sofia will take over in the first six months of 2018. PM Borissov voiced to media that within the frameworks of that presidency Germany and France – the engines of the EU would uphold Bulgaria in any way necessary and for the support of the Balkan countries as well.

The premier heard words of encouragement, regarding two other relevant subjects too – the preparation for entering the Eurozone and the Schengen accession of this country. Emmanuel Macron said that France would work for the preparation of Bulgaria’s stepping into “the waiting room” of the Eurozone and the Schengen area. Angela Merkel also expressed her support for these ambitions. At the same time both top European politicians made it clear that the support of their states wouldn’t be unconditional. Mr. Macron remarked in a delicate manner that “there will be support anytime when concrete efforts are put for stronger integration”. Mrs. Merkel was more direct and underlined that Bulgaria faced major challenges, as far as the rule-of-the-law criteria were concerned; at the same time it was expected to demonstrate real reforms in the system of justice and the fight with corruption, in order to meet the criteria for Schengen accession. Viewed this way, Borissov received support not for the Schengen and Eurozone accession itself, but for the eventual efforts that its government would put into meeting the criteria for the achieving of these goals.

In Berlin Borissov was hailed for Bulgaria’s commitment, regarding the guard of the border with Turkey which appears to be an external border for the EU. The talk with Angela Merkel also considered the next steps which this country should take in its fight with human trafficking and migrants. In his turn Borissov expressed his intentions to use his good connections with Turkey, in order to try to warm up a bit its relations with the EU, quite tense lately. Some development of this kind might still be expected during the next few days when he will be on a visit to Turkey. We can also expect new developments in relation to the visit of the French president to Bulgaria, proclaimed for the next summer. The visits of Borissov in Paris and Berlin didn’t result in anything that concrete, but showed clearly that Sofia relied on their partnership, while the spirit of the talks held pointed at the fact that there were grounds for that.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev