The leadership of the Committee for European Affairs and Oversight of European Funs and MPs from the Committee for European Affairs of the German Bundestag, led by its chair Gunther Krichbaum, discussed the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency, the future multiannual financial framework, the Cohesion Policy and the prospect for the Western Balkans countries.

Chair of the Committee for European Affairs Kristian Vigenin said that the National Assembly fully supported the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. He emphasised that the discussions on the future multiannual financial framework, and the cohesion, agricultural and regional policies were particularly important for Bulgaria.

Kristian Vigenin told his German counterparts that the Committee was actively working on the issues related to the Western Balkans and their European prospect. He also emphasised that it was very important for Bulgaria that the European Union should also focus its attention on the Black Sea region.

The Chair of the European Affairs Committee raised the question about Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen agreement and mentioned that it had fulfilled the criteria and that it was important for the common security that Bulgaria and Romania could join as soon as possible.

Kristian Vigenin urged that the CVM should be lifted sooner and told his German counterparts that the National Assembly had just elected the chair of the new body to counter corruption.

Chair of the European Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag Gunther Krichbaum explained about the topics from the agenda of his committee. He said that the most important issues were Brexit, inter-institutional issues, subsidiarity, the multiannual financial framework, the cohesion policy, and infrastructure projects.

We support the efforts and desire of the Western Balkans countries to join the EU, but it is important that they fulfil all conditions for membership before that, said Gunther Krichbaum.