Restoring peace and security in Europe is a top priority because only in this way can the EU fulfil its core mission of ensuring stability and prosperity for its citizens. This is what President Rumen Radev said in his speech after participating in the 19th meeting of the heads of state of the Arraiolos Group, which took place in Krakow. The Bulgarian Head of State is visiting Poland at the invitation of his Polish opposite number Andrzej Duda. During their meeting, the heads of state discussed major EU issues, including priority topics of the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union, which starts on 1 January 2025.
During the joint remarks, President Rumen Radev said that thousands of lives in Europe in the future depend on our ability to comprehensively and critically analyse the realities in the context of the war in Ukraine and form goals and strategies adequate to the dynamics of the security environment. During the discussion, Radev called for finally using all the tools of diplomacy in order to achieve peace in Europe more quickly in accordance with the norms of international law.
The focus of the discussion of the Arraiolos Group presidents was the need to increase defence spending, as well as the opportunities for deepening transatlantic cooperation in the face of global challenges and threats. An indispensable part of strengthening transatlantic ties is upgrading the capabilities of the European defence industry, Rumen Radev added. This requires strengthening industrial cooperation between the EU and the US, as well as implementing joint projects, especially in research and development, which will promote the development of the European economy.
The Head of State said that together with the other presidents of the Arraiolos he welcomed the stated aspiration in the new mandate of the European Commission to develop sustainable competitiveness based on innovation and R&D. A key aspect in this regard is ensuring energy security through improved connectivity and investment in new technologies. This will increase the EU's autonomy and promote European industry, Radev stressed.
He also assessed EU enlargement as important for Europe's stability and security. However, to be effective and irreversible, the enlargement process must take into account the principle of progress based on own merits, the implementation of necessary reforms and commitments, as well as respect for human rights and the rule of law.