For 20 years, the Arraiolos political format has been consolidating top-level dialogue and building bridges of cooperation and friendship between the European countries participating in this forum. The development of international relations on these principles is particularly important when war is again being waged in Europe. This was the common position of the Presidents of Bulgaria and Portugal, Rumen Radev and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who held talks in Porto before the opening of this year's meeting of the heads of state of the Arraiolos Group, which includes 14 EU member states. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Arraiolos Group, which is named after the Portuguese city where the first summit in this format was held in 2003.
The two concurred that both the EU as a whole and the member states are facing many serious problems, caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Russia's war against Ukraine, energy and economic crises, among others. Tackling them requires a long-term responsible vision and coherent solutions based on shared principles. Views were exchanged on the challenges facing the EU and on the development of a united Europe.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa reaffirmed Portugal's firm support for Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area.