Head of State Rumen Radev held a telephone conversation with the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The two touched on the consequences of fighting in Ukraine in the short and long term, the changed security environment in Europe and the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries.
Radev praised the diplomatic actions taken by Germany and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier aimed at de-escalating the conflict and putting an end to hostilities. He also pointed out that in addition to measures regarding Europe's military and energy security, swift action should be taken to prevent a food crisis in regions close to the Old Continent stemming from the interrupted grain supplies from Russia and Ukraine.
The two presidents also discussed the European integration of the Western Balkan countries. The Bulgarian President reaffirmed this country's support for the launch of the EU membership negotiation process for Albania following the profound reforms it had taken in justice, the economy and the protection of national minorities. The Head of State also stressed that it is in the interest of the stability of united Europe that each EU candidate country upholds the European values related to the rights of its citizens, and Bulgaria expects tangible results from the Republic of North Macedonia in this direction before giving its consent to start negotiations.