Prime Minister, Deputy PM in Charge of preparation of Bulgaria's EU Presidency in 2018, Foreign Minister
Meet with Diplomats

Sofia, February 9 (BTA) - At a meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Bulgaria on Thursday, caretaker Prime Minister Ognyan Gerdjikov, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the preparation of Bulgaria's EU presidency in 2018 Denitsa Zlateva, and Foreign Minister Radi Naidenov presented the key priorities and tasks of the caretaker government, the cabinet's information service said.

Gerdjikov stressed that notwithstanding the short tenure of the caretaker government and the unclear outcome of the upcoming parliamentary elections, the cabinet will work to organize as good as possible the Bulgarian presidency of the EU in 2018.

Zlateva for her part said that having a deputy prime minister in charge of the preparation of the presidency shows the clear political commitment of the government that the presidency preparatory work is attached a key priority.

"One of the aspects we will work on is to view the Bulgarian EU presidency in 2018 as a unifying national goal supported by the entire society, irrespective of the political situation in this country," Zlateva said. She categorically refuted speculations that the presidency can be taken away from Bulgaria or that the country could give it up. Zlateva presented the priority areas Bulgaria will focus on during the presidency.

Naidenov said that consistency and stability will be upheld in respect of Bulgaria's foreign policy priorities.