Bulgaria's Schengen membership is not a top priority and it might be better to not rush to it in the upcoming couple of years, according toBulgarianEUCommissioner Kristalina Georgieva, newswires reported.

Speaking on Darik radio on Saturday after the EU put off a vote on whether to allow Romania and Bulgaria into the passport-free zone, the Commissioner listed as main priority increasing incomeof retirees and families with young children. She said the above could be achieved by aloanin the amount of about BGN1bn and by redistribution of budget costs.

Georgieva admitted Bulgaria went too far with its attempts to maintain strictfiscal discipline, but stressed it would be crucial how and for what the money from theloanwould be used. "I am always nervous when it comes to obtaining an outsideloanfor internal goals because I think suchloanmust be invested in boosting the economy. But it is very important to increaseincome" said she, adding theloancould come from the inside market as well.

A snap election is to be held May 12 after the centre-right government resigned last month.