After talks in Sofia with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, the Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel stated that the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU was excellently prepared.

Chancellor Merkel expressed her appreciation of Bulgaria’s efforts for securing the EU’s external borders and especially the Bulgaria-Turkey border. Angela Merkel welcomed PM Borissov’s initiative for a European Commission meeting with the President of Turkey Recep Erdogan, as well as the Bulgarian government’s idea to build a gas hub in Varna so as to diversify the supply of natural gas in Europe.

Boyko Borissov stated that Bulgaria would make every effort to normalize relations with its big neighbours and described the EU’s intention to finance the construction of motorways, railway lines and ports in the Balkans as a valuable contribution to connectivity, the development of tourism and the movement of goods and freight in the region. The Prime Minister of Bulgaria expressed his gratitude for the support the Bulgarian Presidency has been given, adding that he hoped a government would be formed in Germany as soon as possible.