NEWS

President Rumen Radev held a telephone call today with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Boyce. Matthew Boyce voiced the support of the United States for Bulgaria’s hosting the Three Seas Presidential Initiative in 2021, the goal of which is to promote the transport, energy and digital connectivity in Eastern Europe.

 

The two shared the stance that attracting all participating countries to the Three Seas Investment Fund will be essential to introducing more pragmatism in the format for regional cooperation. The United States is expected to support the Fund by making a donation of one billion dollars. The Head of State highlighted the importance of the business as well, and also of the international financial institutions which can show interest in implementing joint projects. 

 

Expanding the geographical scope of the Initiative and attracting partners such as Greece and Cyprus in implementing the joint projects was also among the topics discussed. 

 

Statement by Head of State Iliana Iotova

For projects aimed at improving connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkiye must be viewed as a whole, to be successful, and within the context of closer cooperation in Southeastern Europe. This will bolster both economic development and security in the region, whose strategic importance is growing. This was stated by President Iliana Iotova at a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is on a formal visit to Bulgaria.

Albulena Haxhiu expressed her gratitude to President Iotova for Bulgaria’s support on Kosovo’s path toward membership in NATO and the European Union.

Iliana Iotova raised the issue of depopulation in the area along the Bulgarian-Serbian border and highlighted the need for investment to counter the adverse demographic trend.