Bulgaria and the UK will continue their active cooperation to tackle the challenges to the future of Europe and Brexit, migration, security, financial, social and digital development and climate change. These major point have been agreed upon by Ivelina Vasileva, Deputy Chair of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds, and Baroness Joyce Anelay, Minister of the Department for Exiting the European Union and member of the House of Lords. The British Ambassador to Bulgaria, Emma Hopkins, was also present at the meeting with the Committee at the National Assembly.

In the course of the EU exit negotiations, the focus of attention should be on security and protecting the rights of Bulgarians living, working and studying in the UK as well as UK citizens’ rights in Bulgaria, said Ivelina Vasileva. She mentioned the good cooperation between the two countries in the area of economy, tourism, social affairs, education and culture. The Deputy Chair of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds explained to Baroness Joyce Anelay the priorities of the forthcoming first Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, among which is the provision of a real European prospect for the Western Balkan states.

Baroness Joyce Anelay said that the relations between Bulgaria and the UK are long-standing and built upon respect, shared values, cultural ties and common concern about security. She praised Bulgaria for shifting the focus of attention to the Western Balkans. The agreement with the European Commission should be good not only for the UK but also for all member states, said Baroness Joyce, and added that her country would like to see a continued success for the EU.

Ivan Ivanov, MP, said that with regard to security, the relations between the two countries will not be affected by the UK’s leaving the EU and expressed his hope that information exchange between partnering services will continue.