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Rumen Radev: I Will Do My best to Convince European Leaders that Despite the Latest Dark Revelations in Bulgaria, the Country Will Be Preserved as a Democratic State

Head of State represents Bulgaria at the European Political Community Summit

The shameful recordings from the National Council of Continue the Change and the subsequent self-confessions of the party's leaders take us huge steps away from Europe as values and morale, as principles and a way of doing politics. I will do my best to convince European leaders that despite the grim revelations, Bulgaria will be preserved as a normal, democratic European state. This is what President Rumen Radev told Bulgarian journalists upon his arrival in Moldova, where he was welcomed by Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu for his participation in the second summit of the European Political Community (EPC).

The forum is attended by 47 heads of state and government, as well as the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament. The President will have a number of meetings with European leaders during the event.  The Bulgarian head of State expects the summit to lead to important results for the future of the continent. The serious problems with the rights of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia (RNM) will be an irrevocable topic in my talks today, Rumen Radev said, adding that the forum is crucial against the backdrop of the war on Ukraine, the growing tensions in Kosovo, the problems in the energy sector and connectivity.

The President pointed out that the recordings from the party meeting of Continue the Change swept away the nice Euro-Atlantic facade and revealed the toothy face of a creeping dictatorship and fanaticism as a demand for grave law breaking, for purges signed in blood, for a pogrom in institutions, for treason, which discredits European leaders as well. Rumen Radev added that they had also caused extremely negative comments about Bulgaria in European media.

This is a disgrace that has been poured on the face of our country, Rumen Radev pointed out, adding that one-year efforts and tangible achievements for this country's Schengen membership and for deepening our European integration have been demolished overnight. Now we will need time and a lot of efforts to steadily return the country to its European course, the head of state said, adding that this topic will be discussed at his meetings today.

I have always said that Bulgaria should have a regular government, but I also say that it should rest on clear democratic principles and, above all, work for Bulgaria, Rumen Radev said in response to a question. I do not expect, he added, the Borissov-Petkov kiss to give birth to anything but disgust, and that does not lead to trust and sustainable solutions.

Within the forum, the Bulgarian head of state will participate in a thematic round table on energy. Participants from 20 countries will discuss topics related to enhancing energy security, infrastructure, and connectivity.

The EPC is a platform for dialogue between European countries to achieve coordination on various sectorial policies. The first summit was held last year in the Czech Republic.