The Government Establishes Coordination Board for Bulgaria's EU Presidency

The Bulgarian government decided on 29^th of August to establish a Coordination Board for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The board will ensure the transparency of the negotiation process within the Council by all stakeholders.

It is explicitly foreseen, where necessary, that the Board provides guidance on the manner in which the negotiations are conducted, and propose to the European Affairs Council changes to the framework positions on the dossiers under consideration.

Chairperson of the Board is the Deputy Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2018, responsible for relations with the European Parliament. The members include the head of the Prime Minister's political cabinet, deputy ministers, representatives of the governing bodies of other institutions and departments, the Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the EU, the directors of the Directorates “EU Coordination” at the Council of Ministers and “Policies and Institutions in the EU” in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A Decree will regulate the preparation of the participation of the Deputy Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2018, in charge of relations with the European Parliament, in the meetings of the European Parliament.

For the purpose of conducting a successful Presidency, it is envisaged to also regulate the basic principles of the work of the Bulgarian civil servants who will chair the meetings of the Council of the European Union and its preparatory bodies.