NEWS

Croatia’s EU accession will strengthen the voice of the other countries from Southeast Europe

Croatia’s EU accession opens up new opportunities for encouraging the cooperation with Bulgaria, it will strengthen the voice of the other EU member states from Southeast Europe and is a positive step in the process of promoting the EU principles in our region. This is the position that President Rosen Plevneliev and Croatian President Ivo Josipovich agreed on during their meeting held at 2 Dondukov street. The President of the Republic of Croatia is on an official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of the Bulgarian Head of State. This is President  Josipovich’s first visit after Croatia joined the EU.

“Croatia’s full EU membership opens a new phase in its relationships with Bulgaria. Our strategic interests fully coincide,” President Ivo Josipovich said. Bulgaria is ready to hold a constant top-level political dialogue on the whole range of issues on the EU agenda and within the bilateral relations,” President Rosen Plevneliev emphasized before the Croatian Head of State.

Bulgaria and Croatia agreed to encourage the businesses from the two countries to interact more actively so as to implement joint projects. Therefore the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation between Bulgaria and Croatia will become more active and through the dialogue between the two countries’  Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the companies from the two countries will receive updated information on investment opportunities, President Plevneliev said at a joint press conference with President Josipovich. “I expect that the forthcoming Bulgarian-Croatian business forum will produce positive results in this direction,” the Head of State further emphasized. The two Presidents agreed on the position that the annual trade worth 110 million euros is less than Bulgaria’s and Croatia’s capacities are.

The two countries will continue to actively support the implementation of all projects that contribute to the connectivity and integration in the region. The construction of a high-speed railway network in Southeast Europe and the improvement of the road infrastructure were among the highlights in the talks held between the two presidents. “Energy liberalization and diversification can ensure competitive prices for the individuals and businesses in the region,” President Plevneliev said. According to the Head of State, this would create qualitatively new economic prospects  for all Balkan countries and would encourage foreign investors to choose Southeast Europe to implement their investment projects and open new production facilities. “The transfer of energy resources through interconnectors between the gas-transit systems will provide access to the liquefied natural gas terminal on the island of Krk, as well as to the deposits in Caucasus. This will ensure the necessary security for the supply to the countries in the region,” Rosen Plevneliev further added.

Bulgaria and Croatia share the opinion that under the conditions of an economic crisis, the EU Cohesion policy is a factor for promoting growth. “We cannot ignore the fact that Bulgaria and Croatia are lagging one step behind the other EU member states in their economic development. The Union has enough available mechanisms to eliminate these differences and to provide assistance to the countries lagging behind whereby they would reach the general level,” President Josipovich said.

Another sphere in which the two countries can strengthen their cooperation is that of providing support for the EU enlargement policy and assistance for the West Balkan countries’ efforts to join the EU. “Croatia’s EU accession set a definitely good example for all our neighbors and I am sure they can follow this example,” Rosen Plevneliev said.

The two Presidents also discussed resuming the cooperation program in the spheres of science and education covering the 2014-2017 period.   At the meeting Rosen Plevneliev voiced Bulgaria’s gratitude for the good attitude displayed to the Bulgarian community in Croatia, as well as for the club granted to the Bulgarian culture and education association.   

“Bulgaria has met all technical requirements for membership in the Schengen border-free zone and all checks conducted by the European Commission have confirmed this fact,” President Rosen Plevneliev said in reply to a journalist’s question. The Head of State emphasized that our country has adopted a responsible approach by making investments to secure an adequate protection of the EU external borders and now Bulgaria expects that its partners will demonstrate solidarity. According to Rosen Plevneliev, the fact that Bulgaria’s Schengen membership is postponed is not for technical, but for political reasons.

During his official visit, President Josipovich will hold a meeting with Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski and the National Assembly Chair Mikhail Mikov.

Tomorrow Presidents Rosen Plevneliev and Ivo Josipovich will open a Bulgarian-Croatian business forum in the building of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Later during the day President Josipovich will visit Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski and will deliver a lecture on the topic: “European prospects for the Southeast Europe region.”