15 June 2026 | 18:06
Statement by Head of State Iliana Iotova
NEWS
Radev to Von der Leyen: Bulgaria’s Schengen accession will reinforce integration in Southeast Europe
2022-10-01 13:21:00Bulgaria's and Romania's accession to the Schengen Area is not just an investment in regional security and stability, but will also consolidate the process of European integration in Southeast Europe. This is what President Rumen Radev said at a working meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Sofia ahead of the IGB launch of commercial operations ceremony.
The head of State familiarised the EC President on the proposal of the gas transmission operators of Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary to increase the transmission of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe via their national gas transmission systems. In this way, without waiting for the construction of new pipelines, with minor modifications to the networks, the supply of natural gas to the EU members could be accelerated through the already operational reliable and secure infrastructure.
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11 June 2026 | 18:06
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.
10 June 2026 | 21:09
Albulena Haxhiu expressed her gratitude to President Iotova for Bulgaria’s support on Kosovo’s path toward membership in NATO and the European Union.
10 June 2026 | 21:09
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.