Hours ahead of his talks in Sofia today, the European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier told the Bulgarian National Radio correspondent in Brussels that the Bulgarian EU Presidency is of particular importance, because it coincides with a key phase in the negotiations of Britain’s exiting the European Union.

The mandate for negotiations with Great Britain on the transition period should be determined on 29 January, and in March the Council of the European Union is going to issue guidelines for future relations with the United Kingdom.

During this key period Bulgaria should maintain the unity of the 27 Member States, provide for ongoing dialogue between them, the European Commission and the European Parliament and avoid any parallel or sector discussions, Michel Barnier said on the eve of his visit to Sofia.