Sofia, November 19 (BTA) - The government alone is responsible for protecting public health and the European Commission cannot interfere in its work in the fight against the pandemic, EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton, who is on a working visit to Bulgaria, told journalists here on Friday.

Breton said that the COVID-19 vaccination rate in the EU is 76 per cent, yet in some countries, the vaccination rate is too low, and that is why he came to Sofia to see how the EC can help Bulgaria.

The EU member states are responsible for the health of their citizens, the EU has zero responsibility for this, the EC official said, adding that it is Bulgaria's responsibility to have its own health strategy, but it is his responsibility to make sure that each member state is provided with everything needed to fight the pandemic.

Bulgaria has enough vaccines and so far this is the only tool to fight the pandemic. Vaccines are effective, three billion people worldwide have gotten vaccinated, Breton stressed.

Bulgaria has a low vaccination rate of 28 per cent. Breton warned that there might appear a Bulgarian variant of the virus because many Bulgarians are not vaccinated.

The Commissioner also warned that there is a risk for Bulgaria to become a cluster with the next wave of infections which poses a risk tо European citizens too.

Breton described as "fake news" allegations appearing in Bulgaria that the EU is giving orders on what countries should do, and explained that this is not true - only the individual countries decide what to do.

The EU Digital COVID Certificate is a tool which the EU has developed not be a risk for the rest of the people, Breton pointed out.

There are people against the vaccines everywhere, not more or less than in any other country. When the pandemic began, 60 per cent of people in Bulgaria said they intended to get vaccinated, but then that changed. It is normal to be doubtful in the beginning, but now after it is evident that the vaccines have no side effects, they are effective and the solution in the fight with the next wave of infections, Breton said. He also pointed out that the majority of people in hospitals are not vaccinated.

Later during the day, Breton had a meeting with Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Yanev. Breton congratulated Yanev for the work of the caretaker government, the government's information service said in a press release.

The two officials discussed topics from the European agenda, including the challenges posed by the pandemic. Breton pointed out that leaders across Europe have to make difficult and unpopular decisions to deal with the crisis.

Yanev briefed the European Commissioner on some of the measures of the caretaker cabinet to support citizens and businesses in the crisis. He pointed out that the COVID Green Certificate was implemented to prevent a new lockdown in the country. Yanev also noted the issue of donating vaccines to third countries. According to Yanev, additional flexibility is needed at the European level so that there is an opportunity to provide greater and faster support.

Yanev and Breton also discussed European security and defence, focusing on cybersecurity. The two noted the increasing importance of cybersecurity for the EU and dwelled on the common EU interest to actively work in the field. RY/YV/