The Cohesion Policy should be maintained as a factor of economic growth, President Rosen Plevneliev and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso agreed today at a meeting at the Bulgarian President’s office at 2 Dondoukov  Boulevard. "Thanks to these European funds, one euro spent can be effective in various directions - towards economic prosperity, environmental and on people’s wellbeing,” Barroso said.

“We rely on support for Schengen, Bulgaria is doing well, we expect an appropriate assessment and support from the European Commission and the Member States,” President Plevneliev said during the meeting. Barroso reiterated the position of the European Commission that the country has met all the criteria for membership of the Schengen zone.

During the meeting, President Plevneliev assured EC President Barroso that Bulgaria would continue to be a model of discipline and financial stability in the Balkans and Europe.

They also discussed reform of the judiciary, administrative reform, the implementation of major infrastructure projects in the country, measures for energy efficiency and diversification of energy sources and the inclusion of Bulgaria’s national priorities in the EU's “Europe 2020” strategy.