Hungary Supports Bulgaria in Protest against Mobility Package
17 January 2019 News
Hungary expressed readiness to support Bulgaria in its further efforts against the adoption of the Mobility Package 1 (the so called “Macron Package”).
The matter was discussed at a working meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto during the latter’s visit to Bulgaria.
The two ministers were unanimous that the way it looks now, the Mobility Package violates the European market rules on the pretext of protecting drivers’ social rights.
“If one business is more competitive than another, if Bulgarian and Hungarian carriers, for example, are more competitive, why shouldn’t they be hired in Europe,” said Zaharieva.
“We believe that the proposals for the Mobility Package go against the European values and agreements. What worries us is that the Western Europeans do not accept that there are economic sectors where the Central Europeans are more competitive, „said Peter Szijjarto.
The Global Migration Compact was also on the agenda and Peter Szijjarto pointed out with satisfaction the Bulgarian decision to abstain at this stage from supporting the document. He said that migration remains a topmost issue for Hungary. In this context, the Hungarian Foreign Minister commended the efforts of Bulgaria to protect the EU external border from illegal migration and human trafficking.
Peter Szijjarto said that Hungary is interested in using natural gas from the possible extension of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline via Bulgaria and Serbia. Foreign Minister Zaharieva said that Bulgaria is exploring this opportunity, has invested much in its gas transmission network and seeks to diversify its natural gas sources.
The two government ministers discussed the uncertainty surrounding UK’s exit from the EU and other issues from the regional, European and global agenda.