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Presidents Radev and Iohannis call for accelerated bridging of the connectivity gap between Bulgaria and Romania

EU solidarity is needed for a timely support to the countries at the external borders of the Union where the refugees are heading, the heads of state of Bulgaria and Romania stress in Bucharest

Overcoming the regional connectivity gap, concerted efforts to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the wake of a refugee crisis and building effective defence capabilities in the complicated security environment caused by the war in Ukraine were the key topics at the talks between the Presidents of Bulgaria and Romania, Rumen Radev and Klaus Iohannis. The Bulgarian Head of State is on a working visit to Bucharest.

The war in the immediate vicinity of our borders is fundamentally changing the security environment in the region, the Bulgarian Head of State stressed. He pointed out that disrupted lines of communication and supply chains, the threatened energy security, along with the imposition of unprecedented sanctions against Russia, were putting the economies and social systems of the countries of Southeast Europe to a huge test. At the same time, in the President's words, the crisis consolidates the unity and resolve of the EU and NATO to provide a common response to the security challenges. Bulgaria and Romania share a common responsibility for the system of graduated deterrence and defence measures implemented under the auspices of the Alliance to ensure security and stability in our region, the President said.

Whatever the background and the pretext for the war in Ukraine, nothing can justify the violation of the country's national sovereignty, the victims, the destruction and the immense suffering, the Head of State stressed. He added that Bulgaria and Romania share common efforts to build effective defence capabilities and a common concern for all those in Ukraine who are fleeing the war and seeking asylum. So far, more than 80,000 Ukrainian citizens have entered Bulgaria through Romania, including many of our compatriots, and more than half of them have stayed in Bulgaria. The Head of State pointed out that Bulgaria is particularly sympathetic not only because of the Bulgarian diaspora in Ukraine, which numbers more than 300,000 people, but also because of the deep cultural and historical ties with the Ukrainian people and the humane values pursued by Bulgarian society.

During the meeting, the two Presidents shared a common position on the need for solidarity at a European Union level towards the asylum seekers from the war and for a timely support for the countries at the external borders of the Union where the refugees are heading.

This crisis clearly put to the fore the pressing need for comprehensive connectivity between Romania and Bulgaria - infrastructure, transport, energy, digital, and technological. Connectivity in terms of new pipelines for fuel supply, especially in a state of crisis and martial law, Rumen Radev further stressed. That is why the governments of the two countries need to take vigorous measures to overcome the dramatic lagging behind in connectivity over the past 30 years.

Responding to a question at a joint press conference, President Radev pointed out that he had always supported the enhanced security of Bulgaria's airspace, which allows not only for greater security in the region, but also for much better training of Bulgarian pilots. Radev also recalled the anticipated delay in the delivery of the F-16 fighter jets contracted by Bulgaria, which are expected to arrive in this country after 2025. Consequently, the Head of State called on the Bulgarian government and the Ministry of Defence for urgent measures and clarity on whether they will be able to have the MiG-29 fighter jets maintained in the Russian Federation until then or, if not possible, with the support of another or a partner country. If this is not possible either, interim solutions should be sought with other equipment and in another way at least until 2030.  This is the nationally responsible position, the President stressed. Radev urged not to allow ignorance or a hysterical ideologisation of the problem regarding the maintenance of our fighter fleet, which would mean that Bulgaria would abandon the protection of its own airspace, its own air sovereignty and its obligations towards NATO's collective defence.

Everything possible is being done to catch up with the delay in the gas interconnector with Greece, the President further said in response to a question. He expressed hope that the 1 June deadline would be met by the company building the interconnector, whose capacity envisages the annual transmission of 3 billion cubic metres.