Bulgaria’s PM emphasises need for single medical protocol to fight Covid-19 in the EU

bulgariarsquos emphasises need single medical protocol fight covid

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15:35, 31.08.2020

Creating an urgent medical shield for action against COVID-19 in Europe, proposed Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in his speech to the leaders of the Strategic Forum in Bled on August 31. Prime Minister Borissov is taking part in a discussion with Central and Southeast European leaders on the future of the Community after Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bulgarian Prime Minister said that according to this medical shield, all member states should react differently with a red, yellow or green code.

Borissov added that the single medical protocol should specify how schools and kindergartens should function, whether sporting events would be allowed or banned in the EU and how. "Each member state is obliged to provide a green corridor and traffic for lorries, for transport," said Prime Minister Borissov. He added that there is a need for a global approach to protective clothing, vaccines and medicines to tackle the new disease.

"We have shown that we are not ready in the conditions of a pandemic. In March, we competed which country would close the borders first. Bulgaria was in solidarity, we produced medical clothing, shhields, masks and we sent them to everyone who asked in Europe," Borissov commented.

Prime Minister Borissov expressed concern that even now Member States do not have a single medical protocol for action on COVID-19 in the context of the expected second wave. "We don't have a vaccine yet," the Bulgarian PM added.

Boyko Borissov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria: Apart from the thousands of human lives we lost, the money we lost, the jobs we lost, we lost the most important battle - for the mental health of the people.

Borissov emphasized that everyone wakes up thinking if there is security. "What do we tell them every day - a second wave is coming, which will be worse than the first. Protests and riots across Europe - why? Because they don't know if there is or there isn't, we are still arguing whether there is not or if there is COVID-19,” he said.

According to the Prime Minister, the challenges we face require us to be more united than ever. Boyko Borissov reminded the leaders that the pandemic has put health and economic systems to the test and continues to be a factor of instability and insecurity. "We all want to be better prepared and respond more effectively to crises. Within the EU, we need solidarity and unanimity between the member states in order to be strong in dealing with the crisis," said Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

The Prime Minister welcomes and supports the initiative of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen for a global response to the pandemic, which from the first fundraising campaign in May 2020 to the beginning of August raised nearly 16 billion euros. "This is a strong and clear signal of global solidarity," said the Bulgarian Prime Minister. He also praised the adaptation of the trio holding the presidency of the EU Council - Germany, Portugal and Slovenia - to the challenges of the pandemic and focusing rapid economic and social recovery that will strengthen Europe's resilience.

In his speech, Prime Minister Borissov also focused the leaders' attention on the importance of the future development of the countries of the Western Balkans and believes that Europe should remain consistent in fulfilling its commitments to their inclusion. "We should continue to support the reform process in these countries. It is important for us to maintain good neighbourly relations and build common regional projects that will contribute to social and economic development, " said the Prime Minister. Borissov recalled that the joint presidency of the Berlin Process with the Republic of North Macedonia in 2020 aims to improve connectivity and the integration process in the region in order to achieve stability, peace and prosperity.

Prime Minister Borissov also focused on the other challenge facing Europe - Brexit, emphasising that the main priority is to achieve the closest possible cooperation with the United Kingdom, which will ensure maximum continuity. "Whatever the outcome of the negotiations, the EU and the Member States must be prepared. It is of special importance for Bulgaria to guarantee the rights of the citizens after Brexit, together with the cooperation in a number of areas", the Bulgarian Prime Minister noted.

Addressing the leaders of Southeast Europe, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov stressed that at this crucial time in Europe's development, countries need to remain united and show that they can deal effectively with the current challenges. "We must adapt our policies and continue working on all priorities," added Bulgarian Prime Minister Borissov.