Bulgarian President: EU Must Remain Based on Solidarity

Individualism is not the way to go for Europe, stated Bulgaria's President Rosen Plevneliev at a forum devoted to the fundamentals of the EU held in Vienna Sunday.

"Individualism is not the answer for the EU. The answer is deepening of cooperation, but with such a speed that no-one is left behind," said Plevneliev.

The Bulgarian President, together with his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer and EU Regional Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn, took part in the "What hold Europe together?" discussion, part of the Debating Europe series.

"I am a federalist regarding the EU, but the whole process must go at the right speed," stated Plevneliev.

The Bulgarian President further stressed on the euro as a great achievement of the EU that needs to be well guarded.

"We must not be speaking about who is going to leave the eurozone, but rather be looking forward to new members," said he.

According to Plevneliev, politicians in EU member states still have the responsibility to implement unpopular measures to rein in the financial crisis, but he was resolute that success is on the way.