Bulgaria is well regarded in Europe and should use that standing to accelerate industrial development and economic growth, Boyko Borissov, leader of the GERB party, said on Saturday while attending a summit of the European People’s Party (EPP) in Zagreb.
Speaking in a video posted on Facebook, Borissov said Bulgaria’s recent integration into key European formats, including the euro zone and the Schengen area, had strengthened its influence within the European Union.
“We are noticed, we are good, and we are at the table with those who make decisions,” Borissov said, adding that policy declarations adopted at the EPP summit aimed to reduce administrative burdens and bureaucracy while boosting innovation and the participation of small and medium-sized companies in global competition with China, the United States and India.
Borissov held meetings on the sidelines of the summit with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to his office. The talks included discussions on regional infrastructure and energy projects, he said.
Borissov said so-called vertical transport and energy corridors linking Greece to Ukraine via Bulgaria had drawn interest from both von der Leyen and Merz. He added that Bulgaria was investing heavily in gas infrastructure, including high-capacity compressor stations.
“I am very optimistic about cooperation with Germany in the coming months,” Borissov said, adding that the European Commission relied heavily on Bulgaria this year and had shown strong confidence in the country.
He also said there had never been doubts in Europe about GERB’s discipline and loyalty, noting that Bulgaria supports Ukraine and participates in military assistance efforts coordinated by its European partners.
The EPP summit in Zagreb brought together leaders of EU member states affiliated with the centre-right political group to discuss competitiveness, security and economic growth.