Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany and leader of the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CSU), on Saturday congratulated GERB leader Boiko Borissov over the success of his party at the parliamentary elections and the mandate to form a government. This happened at the congress of the CSU's traditional coalition partner from Bavaria, the Christian Social Union (CSU), which Merkel attended.

Besides Borissov, the Bulgarian delegation included GERB Chairman Tsvetan Tsvetanov and Roumyana Zheleva MEP, Deputy Chairman of the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (EPP-ED) in the European Parliament.

"I would like to congratulate you on the indisputable victory at the elections for National Assembly and the mandate you have been given to form a government. As a future Prime Minister, you will have the vital task to pull your country out of the economic crisis," Merkel said.

It is good news for the CDU that yet another centre-right party, which is a member of the EPP, will head a government in Europe, she said. In her words, this will help along the EPP initiative of promoting a social market economy in Bulgaria and in Europe, as well as the implementation of the relevant reforms, Merkel told Borissov at their meeting.

Borissov familiarized Merkel with GERB's government programme and introduced Tsvetanov to her as the future interior minister. The German chancellor invited them to visit her the soonest possible after taking office.

Borissov, Tsvetanov and Zheleva conferred with Gunther Beckstein, former interior minister and minister-president of Bavaria, the GERB press office told BTA.

The sides reached agreement on a number of joint projects in security. The measures which GERB will take to fight corruption and guarantee the rule of law in Bulgaria were in the focus of the conference. Changes in the Interior Ministry system were also discussed.

The GERB representatives met with Werner Langen, leader of the German delegation of the EPP in the European Parliament. The sides discussed the frozen EU funds and the possibility of Bulgaria getting EU money. Borissov, Tsvetanov and Zheleva stated the GERB government would work for regaining the confidence of Bulgaria's European partners, for transparent expenditure of EU funds and for eliminating corruption in the high echelons of power.

The Bulgarian delegation had talks with Horst Seehofer, Minister-President of Bavaria and CSU Chairman, as well as with Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann. Borissov and Herrmann discussed GERB's programme for security and the possibility of reducing trans-border crime. Herrmann if expected to visit Bulgaria shortly at Borissov's invitation.

Source: BTA