The economic and social cohesion of the EU member states is an investment in the future of united Europe and this text should be laid down in the EU Multiannual Financial Framework and the common policies. This is what President Rumen Radev said at a working meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions of the EU member states and the European Economic Area in Bulgaria, held at 2 Dondukov street. The meeting was attended by Vice President Iliana Iotova and Head of the European Commission’s Representation in Bulgaria Ognyan Zlatev.
The Head of State called for maintaining unity and solidarity as leading principles for coping with the common challenges such as achieving a higher economic growth, building a secure and socially committed Europe, tackling migration and fighting terrorism. Rumen Radev identified the growing disparities between North and South Europe and West and East Europe as the greatest challenge the EU is facing today. In the President’s words, an example of this is the so called Mobility Package, which divides the European countries and undermines the competitiveness of the hauliers from Eastern Europe, given the still considerable difference in the pay of the officials working for the same European companies, depending on the European region in which their branches are located.
The President identified the signed friendship agreement between France and Germany as an important step towards deepening the process of European integration and strengthening the role of united Europe. However, the President said that the cooperation in the security sphere should be open for the rest EU member states, which should be part of the “common strategic culture and common defense industry” that are being established. Rumen Radev further noted the new initiatives for strengthening the partnership in the defense sphere, such as the European Intervention Initiative and called for ruling out the isolation of East Europe from the exchange of ideas and intelligence information and the development of doctrines, which could possibly increase Europe’s fragmentation.
A lot of questions related to the debate on the future of united Europe, the Western Balkans, the Eastern Partnership, energy diversification and other topical issues on the EU agenda were discussed at the meeting.