On the eve of the plenary debate on Bulgaria and Romania to join Schengen, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov spoke to New Europe on the burning issue, at the inauguration of the ‘Thracian Warriors’ exhibition in the heart of European Parliament building. Addressing the distinguished guests at this high-profile event, Prime Minister Borissov referred to the European identity of his country, deeply rooted in history - the Thracian treasures dated IV-III BC were there to back-up his point.
Do you think that this crisis influenced public opinion, and that Bulgaria is a victim of the crisis?
I would like to say that all member states who are following the rules should have a benefit from the agreements and not be penalised.
If everybody fulfilled the Maastricht criteria, Europe would not be in crisis. Everyone would have up to 3% deficit and there would be no crisis. Bulgaria has fulfilled 100% of the (Schengen) criteria and there is still a question (to its membership). However, those member states that did not fulfil the 3% (deficit) obligations were not called into question. Our public deficit is the lowest one.
I would not like you to put words in my mouth and misinterpret what I said. We are a disciplined country, we follow all the rules and I believe that the words I have received from (Joseph) Daul (Chairman of the European People's Party in the European Parliament), and (Jerzy) Buzek (President of the European Parliament) are important points for Bulgaria's case.
European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek, also commented, vowing a "fair debate".
Journalist and political observer Anna Vvedenskaia is a graduate of the Moscow State University and European Journalism Centre, Maastricht.
She has previously worked for BBC and VoANEWS, and her areas of expertise are EU foreign and security policy of EU, defence, energy, EU-Russia relations, Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership.
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