Partnership in energy, economy and security were highlights of the President's meetings with the PM and Parliament Speaker
Bulgaria and Spain have an excellent political dialogue built on mutual trust, and this is a sound basis for the promotion of bilateral relations, is what Head of State told journalists in Madrid where he is on a visit at the invitation of His Majesty King Felipe VI. This has been the first visit of a Bulgarian head of state to Spain in the last 23 years. I accept the invitation to a Bulgarian President to visit Spain for the first time since 1999 as a sign of the ambition of both countries to develop their relations much more intensively, the Head of State emphasised.
In Madrid, President Radev held talks with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the President of the Congress of Deputies of the Kingdom of Spain, Meritxell Batet. Partnership in energy, economy and security, as well as the risks for Europe arising from the war in Ukraine, were the main talking point at the two meetings. The sides were unanimous that overcoming the numerous challenges facing EU Member States, and the socio-economic consequences of the war in Ukraine in particular, the energy crisis and inflation, requires synergies and mutual support within the Union. The European Union remains united in safeguarding the principles of democracy and the rule of law, it was stressed at the two meetings.
Radev said that the potential for cooperation between Bulgaria and Spain was huge and pointed to the development of high technology, the joint implementation of defence equipment and the building of a green economy. Spain is the world's second largest tourist destination with year-round tourism. This is something that we should also do in Bulgaria, following this advanced experience, the President noted and mentioned the chemical industry, biotechnology and agriculture as particularly promising areas of mutual interest.
The implementation of Spain and Bulgaria's recovery and resilience plans is an additional important area where the two countries can be partners, was the common position during Radev's meeting with Sanchez.
The Head of State expressed this country's gratitude for Spain's support in guarding Bulgarian airspace, which strengthened the allied relations between the two countries.
The EU should take pre-emptive measures from now on in order not to be severely affected by the secondary effects of the war in Ukraine and to avoid a food crisis in Europe's neighbouring regions, which could generate a new wave of migration to the Old Continent, Radev specified. The Head of State stressed that this country would continue to be a reliable partner and would supply cereals to Spain within its capabilities. However, he added, it is extremely important to preserve the opportunities for grain deliveries from Ukraine, which is the second largest exporter of cereals in Europe and whose Black Sea ports are currently blocked. We are doing everything we can, including with the Bulgarian community in Ukraine, which forms a large share in wheat production, to make sure that shipments can take place, the President added, stressing that this is a matter for both governments to work on.
Radev expressed his gratitude for the good attitude of the institutions in Spain towards the large Bulgarian community in that country, which exceeds 200,000 people and is well integrated into the Spanish society, preserving active ties with Bulgaria.
Responding to a journalist's question about Bulgaria sending military aid to Ukraine, the President said that unlike other countries, Bulgaria had a huge historical community in Ukraine and hundreds of thousands of our compatriots were already in the war zone. Radev reiterated his call for a responsible attitude on the issue and added that this country's position was understood by many European leaders and it was time for some Bulgarian politicians to understand it as well.
Asked about the options for solving the problem of gas supplies to Bulgaria, the President pointed out that the issue was in the field of the executive, but the cabinet's decisions should lead to the lowest possible price for Bulgarian consumers and industry.
It is cynical in the most energy poor country in the European Union, with the poorest population, to say that we will find another way and we will pay more, Radev said. The President stressed that some people could pay more, but a large part of our society was on the edge and could not pay and appealed to those who could afford to pay more and made the decisions to think about the people who did not have that opportunity. The most important thing for us is what the cost will be. The government should take all these factors into consideration, the cost first, and then find a solution, the President said in conclusion.