Juncker supports Bulgaria to join Schengen, Euro area

BRUSSELS, Jan 12 (KUNA) -- The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker met Boyko Borissov, Bulgarian Prime Minister, in Sofia Friday to discuss the priorities of the EU Presidency held by Bulgaria from 1 January.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Jucker said "the Bulgarian Presidency is taking place at a crucial point in the fate of the EU. We are generally in very broad agreement on the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency and of course the (EU) Austrian Presidency which will come after." He stressed that "Bulgaria will or should join Euro area as rapidly as possible," and added that "Bulgaria's place is in the Schengen zone." The meeting was held during the two-day traditional visit of the all the 27 EU Commissioners plus the President of the European Commission to the incoming Presidency of the EU on Thursday and Friday.
The EU Commissioners also held a separate meeting with the Bulgarian government linked to the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency and to the European agenda: foreign affairs, security and defence, migration and justice, noted an EU Presidency statement.
The meetings took place in the National Palace of Culture, the main venue of the Bulgarian EU Presidency in Sofia. (end) nk.bs