Bulgaria and the Republic of Cyprus share the ambition to strengthen their cooperation on energy, economy and connectivity and this will create new opportunities also for the region of Eastern and Southeastern Europe. This was the common stance expressed at a meeting held at 2 Dondukov street between Head of State Rumen Radev and the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Christodoulides, who is visiting Sofia.
The forthcoming visit of the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades in Bulgaria in February at the invitation of Rumen Radev, which will give a new impetus to the friendly relations between the two countries, was discussed at the meeting.
The Bulgarian President and the Foreign Minister of Cyprus considered the prospects for strengthening the business contacts between the two countries and also for improving the transport connectivity in our region.
Bulgaria has an interest in the energy projects for the transfer of natural gas, part of which is Cyprus. Our energy connectivity will contribute to the diversification of the European energy map, Rumen Radev further said.
The two countries not only share common interests and positions, but also face common challenges such as the migratory pressure and preserving security in the region. The common stance Rumen Radev and Nicos Christodoulides shared is that Europe should be more active and find long-term and lasting solutions to the refugee crisis, taking into account not only the solidarity principle, but also the national specificities of each country. The two also noted the necessity of effective and operating mechanisms for solving the problems the Community is facing.
The two were unanimous that the Western Balkans’ European prospects are extremely important for the stability and security not only in Southeastern Europe, but also in the EU.
The Bulgarian community in Cyprus and the great number of students, citizens of Cyprus, who took their university degree in Bulgaria, are an important connection for the two countries, it emerged at the meeting. Our compatriots in Cyprus form the third largest community in the country and contribute to the bilateral partnership in economy and culture, Nicos Christodoulides said. President Radev voiced gratitude for the created conditions for our compatriots to preserve their culture and also for respecting their labor rights.