Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has met with European Council President Donald Tusk in the framework of the official opening of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Bulgarian Prime Minister has vowed that this country was ready for its first presidency and that Bulgaria would be a balancing force and would be seeking a consensus on topical issues in the European Union.

PM Boyko Borissov said the issue of integration of the Western Balkans remained a top priority during Bulgaria’s presidency and that this country would rely on the support of all European institutions and Member States. On improving EU's dialogue with Turkey, the Prime Minister pointed out that the alienation policy should not continue because, for Bulgaria as well as for the EU, Turkey was a strategic partner in the fight against illegal migration.

Borissov and Tusk also discussed opportunities in the sphere of ​​infrastructure and connectivity in the region.