Bulgaria proved that it strictly and consistently protects the EU borders by respecting the EU standards and meeting the criteria for joining the Schengen area. Our country’s membership in Schengen is a key condition ensuring that we are maximally efficient in the future as well. This is what President Rumen Radev said, who held a bilateral meeting with Austrian Head of State Van der Bellen within the 13th meeting of the heads of state from the Arraiolos group in the capital of Malta Valletta.
Rumen Radev and Alexander Van der Bellen agreed that the strong and friendly bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Austria contribute to fulfilling the common priorities set in the Program for the Trio Presidencies of the Council of the EU. “Sofia and Vienna enjoy an extremely dynamic and meaningful political dialogue and also excellent relations between our peoples. We rely on a close cooperation with Austria within the debate on the future of the European Union and for the sake of our common goals in the European agenda,” the president said.
The development of the Danube region should occupy a leading place in the EU agenda, the two Presidents were adamant. Rumen Radev and Alexander Van der Bellen said that the successive presidencies of the two countries of the Council of the EU is an excellent opportunity ensuring that the Danube region confirms and strengthens its strategic role for the Union. “Austria and Bulgaria share common views and interests for the development of the Danube region. The two countries will strengthen their ties by implementing concrete joint projects in the sphere of infrastructure,” Rumen Radev said.
At the meeting Rumen Radev voiced our country’s gratitude for the help Austria provides to Bulgaria to guarantee the security of the borders within Frontex’s joint operations. The two Heads of State said that they will continue to support the common European measures to bring the illegal immigration to a minimum level.
Rumen Radev highly appreciated the investment activity of the Austrian entrepreneurs in Bulgaria. The President voiced hope that the trade relations between the two countries will further strengthen against the backdrop of the new measures which our country takes to fight corruption.
At the meeting the two Heads of State voiced their support also for the joint initiatives of the two countries in the sphere of education and culture.