Sofia, January 1 (BTA) - Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said the EU started up as a peace project and became the world's largest market and a cultural centre, and now it stands for shared values and opportunities. His video message marking the 15th anniversary of Bulgaria's EU accession is available on the Council of Ministers' website

Petkov said the EU can be built on and Bulgaria should play a proactive, constructive role in this process. "We should no longer be in the periphery, we should be a driving force, a member whose best brains drive the development of their own country, which then promotes the EU's development," said Petkov.

"As a government, we have the task to make Bulgaria's voice heard. When we are at the table with the other Member States, they should already know that Bulgaria is here to build on this EU. Bulgaria is here because it has something to say," Petkov noted.

He wished 2022 to mark a fresh start for the EU and its development, and a fresh start for Bulgaria as a more active and more constructive Member State. "Only when we are together we can be proud that we are Europeans, and even more so that we are Bulgarians," the Prime Minister said.

Prof Leandar Litov contributed to the video message. DD

Council of Ministers' Photo

Source: Sofia