Way back at the beginning of the migration crisis Bulgaria demonstrated a more reasonable conduct than many other European countries. The protection of the EU external borders should be strengthened in an uncompromising manner. This is what President Rumen Radev said in Bratislava, at a joint news conference with his counterpart Andrej Kiska. The Bulgarian Head of State is on an official visit to Slovakia, where he was welcomed with a solemn ceremony in front of the presidential palace.
Radev and Kiska were unanimous that the EU needs a single solution vis-à-vis the migration policy. “Europe has finally started to recognize the importance of this crisis. We have all found out that the open doors policy is harmful not only for Europe but also for the countries of origin of the migrants,” the Bulgarian President said and specified that migrants should not abdicate from solving the problems of their native countries.
The rule of law was another topic the two Heads of State discussed at the talks they held. In President Radev’s words, both societies in Bulgaria and Slovakia are interested in establishing high anti-corruption practices. “For us, European integration means adopting European models and standards in fighting corruption and crime,” Rumen Radev said. President Kiska said that Bulgaria and Slovakia should fulfill their commitments ensuing from their EU and NATO membership and should be unyielding in their fight against corruption.
Rumen Radev and Andrej Kiska shared the opinion that the transparent government environment, a strict supervision of the banks and decisive actions against vicious corruption practices are the necessary conditions ensuring the adoption of the European currency. The Bulgarian President highlighted the necessity to make a detailed analysis and develop a national action plan upon entering the Euro zone. Slovakia can share with Bulgaria its experience in introducing the euro, we support your Euro zone and Schengen accession, the Slovak President said.
At the meeting Rumen Radev voiced our country’s interest in a follow-up strengthening of the cooperation with Slovakia in the spheres of car building, tourism, information technologies and energy. The Eastring energy project is a priority not only for Bulgaria and Slovakia, but also for the EU, since it will ensure diversification and security of the supplies by connecting the gas transit networks of Central, West and Southeast Europe, Rumen Radev said.
As evidence of the good relations between the two countries, Kiska highlighted the fact that 100,000 Slovak citizens visit Bulgaria every year and added that the two direct airlines between our countries contribute to this end.
The two Presidents attended the signing of bilateral documents – cooperation agreements between the Technical University in Sofia and the Technical University in Bratislava, between the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency and the Telegraph Agency of Slovakia, and also between UNWE and the University of Economy in Bratislava. In Andrej Kiska’s and Rumen Radev’s words, the documents will give a new impetus to the cooperation in the sphere of education and information.
At the meeting the two Presidents also discussed the process of modernization of the two countries’ air forces. The Republic of Slovakia, and Bulgaria also, are in the process of studying the offers for purchasing new fighters. In reply to a Slovak journalist’s question regarding the selection criteria, Rumen Radev said that the purchasing procedure should take place in conditions of transparency, objectivity and competition. Moreover, the politicians that make decisions should not neglect the military expertise because they are not the people to take the risks at flights and the maintenance of and expenditures on the airplanes will continue long after the politicians leave politics. “Usually the geopolitical and financial criteria are most important. However, we should not forget that the price of the purchase is much lower than what is paid for maintenance decades after the airplanes are purchased,” the President said.
After the meeting the two Presidents laid wreaths at the Gate of freedom monument, erected in memory of 400 people killed at the borders of the Socialist Republic of Czechoslovakia in the 1945-1989 period.
Later President Radev will hold meetings with the Prime Minister of Slovakia Peter Pellegrinhi and also with the President of the National Council Andrej Danko. In Bratislava President Rumen Radev will also meet representatives of the Bulgarian community.