European Commission President Juncker Reiterates Determination of EC to Lift Cooperation and Verification Mechanism in Respect of Bulgaria by 2019

Brussels, February 26 (BTA corr. Nikolay Jeliazkov) - European
Commission (EC) President Jean-Claude Juncker reiterated
Thursday the determination of the EC to lift the Cooperation and
Verification Mechanism (CVM) in respect of Bulgaria by 2019.
Juncker said this in a statement during a joint news conference
here with Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev.

Plevneliev is on a working visit to Belgium.

Juncker and Plevneliev discussed the CVM, regional issues and
Bulgaria preparedness to take part in the EC investment plan.
Juncker voiced a hope that Bulgaria would do the necessary to
take maximum advantage from the plan.

Plevneliev said that he familiarized the EC President with the
planned reforms in Bulgaria and the political life there after
two turbulent years which saw the changeover of five cabinets
and three Parliaments. Plevneliev said that in 2015 Bulgaria is
more stable and with a clear commitment for important reforms in
justice, the pension system, healthcare, education and
security. The Bulgarian head of State assured his host that 2015
will be a year of reforms and stability for Bulgaria.

Plevneliev said: "I offered assurances that we were coping well
with matters relating to Schengen, that we have a clear action
plan for the CVM, and that we are confident that by the year's
end Bulgaria will make great progress. We in Bulgaria have the
big ambition to act quickly, efficiently and transparently." He
noted that this was proved by the data of the European Court of
Auditors.

The Bulgarian President also said: "We discussed the situation
in the Western Balkans, the Ukraine crisis and our shared wish
for peace and development."

Answering a question about the European Commission's decision on
Wednesday to step up the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure for
Bulgaria, Juncker said it was prompted by a lack of sufficient
economic growth. He noted, however, that Bulgaria was one of the
EU Member States with the lowest government debt levels, and
commented that the decision was not a tragedy.

Asked if Bulgaria can create one of the two new natural gas hubs
the EU needs, Juncker said this was a technical matter and
expressed a hope that the Commission could help this country
build gas interconnectors to its neighbours.

Plevneliev congratulated the EC President on the European Energy
Union strategy announced on Wednesday. "Bulgaria is a staunch
supporter and is ready with the first projects and ideas," said
Plevneliev.

He thanked Juncker for the friendship and partnership which, in
his words, is certain to change Bulgaria for the better.

Commenting the European Energy Union strategy, Plevneliev voiced
satisfaction that it targets Southeast Europe and encourages
the attainment of at least three independent energy sources for
each country. "Only when we achieve genuine diversification and
liberalization, will we have market prices," he said. In
Plevneliev's words, the big goal is for energy not to be a
weapon but a "basic" commodity traded at market prices. "I am
certain that this idea will materialize and that the people will
feel, and enterprises will see, that the more alternative
sources, the greater the security of investments, the more the
investment inflows," he said.

"Bulgaria managed - after being left in the cold in the coldest
day of the winter of 2008, when Russian President Vladimir Putin
and Ukraine again had a dispute, to do so whereby the existing
gas connection with Greece become a reverse facility. This is a
guarantee that if the going gets tough, Bulgaria will have
alternative supply from Greece," Plevneliev said. He also noted
that Bulgaria managed to extend the existing gas storage
facility which holds quantities which could help the country
with the necessary supplies until the end of the winter. In
Plevneliev's words, the more important issue is the faster
commissioning of the gas interconnector with Romania. It is in a
very advanced stage and Bulgaria relies on the EC so that the
commissioning of the facility be a matter of months, and not
years.