Nothing stood in the way of Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) to soon become a full member of the European People’s Party (EPP), EPP-ED Group chairman Joseph Daul told mediapool.bg.

Daul arrived in Sofia at the invitation of Sofia mayor and informal GERB leader Boiko Borissov.

Daul praised the work of the five GERB members of the European Parliament. They were completely integrated and motivated to achieve GERB’s membership in the EPP.

He said that he arrived in Sofia to support his friend Boiko Borissov.

Borissov, on his part, said that GERB respected the principles of the European rightists.

Daul is to meet President Georgi Purvanov on January 23 2008. Among the topics to be discussed are the three energy deals Bulgaria signed with Russia, the South Stream gas pipeline, Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline and the Belene nuclear power plant. According to Daul, Bulgaria had the right to sign deals and Russia was an important energy partner of the EU, but such deals should be completely transparent.

Daul said that the EU had its own policy for independent energy, fight against organised crime and illegal immigration. Important decisions were taken by the 27 EU members or at least after discussions with them, he said.