GERB leader Boyko Borissov welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in his office in the National Assembly. The two long-time friends discussed the geopolitical situation and the challenges facing Europe.
At the beginning of the meeting Borissov thanked Orban for his support in Bulgaria's full accession to Schengen. Afterwards, the Hungarian prime minister spoke to reporters.
Asked about sanctions on Russian gas, he explained:
I would like to say that I am very happy that Bulgaria's political development is heading towards a more stable and hopeful path. We have had a good friendship with Prime Minister Boyko for many years, we have been close for a very long time and I am sure that he can be successful in stabilising the political situation here. This is not my job, it is the job of the Bulgarian people, but it would be good for all of us in Hungary and the European Union... to have a stable government in Bulgaria, which is strongly represented in the EU.
Secondly, on the gas issue, GERB and its president have always helped Hungary not to be punished by other foreign powers or Bulgarian parties to stop/prevent gas supplies from Bulgaria to Hungary. He (Boyko, ed.) has always helped us. We have about 9 million cubic metres of our gas and 7 million of it goes through Bulgaria to Hungary. So you play a big role in Bulgaria's security. Now we have also managed to reach an agreement with the Americans so that the sanctions on Gazprom are suspended for 3 months...so now there is no danger of that (being left without gas supplies). We have also negotiated an alternative payment method that has been agreed with Russia, so now Hungary will be in a safe situation at least for a few months. I believe that we can continue to extend this period with the new government (in Bulgaria). On the sanctions on Russia... that is not a problem. There are talks going on in the EU. We have to have a decision by the end of January and therefore we will have to have more talks and analyse the situation what is rational and what is not.
The decision has to be taken between the 27 EU countries. My recommendation to all of us (including Hungary) is to take strategic patience - so that we do not rush, Orbán added.
Borisov thanked the hungarian prime minister and also commented on the gas transit between the two countries:
I thank Viktor for the Hungarian presidency, for Schengen for what they did, GERB leader Boyko Borisov said after his meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
I have said many times Balkan Stream is extremely important not only for Bulgaria. Bulgaria on it's own wins millions, but overall Bulgaria will win billions, Serbs and Hungarians win, Macedonians win, Turkey wins. In other means, Balkan Stream, which so many wanted to collapse, is now the pipe of friendship and it is no coincidence that Orban says 9 billion cubic meters, Bulgaria spends 3. And also transit fees will remain for the Bulgarians, Borisov stressed.
