21.03.2018
Europe must have a strong Social Fund and a strong Cohesion Fund, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said at the Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment. The traditional forum in Brussels brings together the heads of the European institutions and the European social partners, as well as the Prime Minister of the country holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, to discuss the major challenges for achieving higher social standards in Europe.
Borissov pointed out that our country is actively working on strengthening the social dimension of Europe, which is a priority for the Presidential trio - Estonia, Bulgaria, and Austria - and presents an important part of the program of the Bulgarian Presidency. The Prime Minister focused on unemployment, especially among young people, and on the development of human resources. He noted the existing inequalities on the labor market, especially with regard to the pay for women and men, as well as the need to strengthen the basic social rights of European citizens and, above all, the inclusion of people with disabilities. “The progress on a number of legislative dossiers, including the Posting of Workers Directive during our Presidency is a fact,” said Boyko Borissov and pointed to the work that has been started to transform the European Semester for Economic Policy Coordination and Employment Policies into a basic framework for the implementation of the Social Pillar.
“Without adequate funding, the results from the implementation of the Pillar will not be as tangible as we wish. It is not by coincidence that the Bulgarian Presidency also considers the social dimension of the Multiannual Financial Framework a priority,” the Bulgarian Prime Minister added. He underlined that the next European budget, despite the impact of Brexit on it, must be in line with Europe's ambitious goals in the economic, social and environmental fields, which is an argument in favor of a strong Social Fund and Cohesion Fund.
