Sofia Files Application to Host European Medicines Agency After UK Leaves EU

Bulgaria submitted an application to make Sofia the host city of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which is currently based in London, after the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the 28-nation bloc, local media reported.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Bulgaria nominated Sofia in line with the EU demands on Monday evening as the submissions could be sent to Brussels before August, the Sofia Globe news website reported Monday.

The news outlet added that Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov sent a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk and to European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker describing the benefits that could bring the decision to relocate the agency from London to Sofia.

In March, the United Kingdom formally launched the process of the country's withdrawal from the European Union. The country should finish the talks on Brexit before March 29, 2019. Among other issues, the Brexit means that the EU institutions, such as the EMA and the European Banking Authority (EBA) located on the territory of the United Kingdom should be relocated.

The European Commission is expected to review the received applications for two months and would make a decision about the relocation of the EMA in November.