Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The Netherlands wants no “sugar-coating of the truth” in the EC’s assessment of Bulgaria, PM Mark Rutte says

Mark Rutte at the European Council meeting in Brussels, 26 October, 2023
Photo: EPA/BGNES

The Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte expects an honest assessment of Bulgaria by the European Commission, with “no sugar-coating of the truth”.

“We have to be tough but fair on Bulgaria. I know that Nikolai (Denkov) is working very seriously in this government. But we have to see what the Commission will say in December. It has to be strict but fair. That means no sugar-coating of the truth, no shortcuts to Schengen. I know that Ursula von der Leyen is working honestly and rigorously, and then we must see the results. The country can join Schengen if it meets all the requirements,” Mark Rutte said.

Věra Jourová and Nikolai Denkov
“You have our full support for Schengen. All the conditions for Schengen accession have been met,” Věra Jourová, Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency said during a meeting with Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov in Brussels, and went on to add that this position is shared by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. 

Photos: EPA/BGNES, Council of Ministers of Bulgaria 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

State-owned enterprises to combat corruption through a compliance officer

The National Assembly has introduced a new requirement for state-owned enterprises to implement corruption risk management systems, which will also include appointing an integrity officer. The measure is recommended by the Organisation for Economic..

published on 11/27/25 1:30 PM

Budget 2026 is being frozen, GERB are ready to rule with the old budget

GERB leader Boyko Borissov said that he did not like budget 2026 and it would be frozen. Speaking to the media in parliament, Borissov said that the Joint Governance Council of the formations in the government, the Prime Minister..

published on 11/27/25 11:18 AM
Hristijan Mickoski

North Macedonian Prime Minister mocks attacked Macedonian Bulgarian Vladimir Perev

North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski accused attacked Macedonian Bulgarian journalist Vladimir Perev of staging the attack and self-harm, BGNES has reported. On November 21, in a shop in the center of Skopje, Perev..

published on 11/27/25 8:55 AM