NEWS

Rumen Radev: Only an Economically Strong and Socially Stable EU Can Guarantee Its Security

The military conflicts around our region have made ensuring security a priority, but connectivity and competitiveness are no less important for the EU than rearming the continent. This was stated by President Rumen Radev in Warsaw, where today, at the invitation of his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda, he participated in the 10th Three Seas Initiative Summit and the accompanying business forum. The regional format for strengthening cooperation in the field of connectivity unites 13 EU member states, including Bulgaria.

Only an economically strong and socially stable EU can overcome the challenges and guarantee its security, President Rumen Radev told the media in Warsaw and noted the importance of connectivity in achieving this. The head of state pointed out that over the past 10 years since its creation, the Three Seas regional format has united European countries with a common vision of strengthening their socioeconomic development by overcoming the lag in infrastructure connectivity in transport, energy, digital connections and, at the suggestion of Bulgaria, by expanding connectivity in the field of science and innovation.

The appropriateness of this initiative has been proven especially during the recent crises - COVID-19, the energy crisis and the war on Ukraine, which have shown that we really need reliable connectivity, said Rumen Radev.

According to the President, our country has managed to achieve a significant economic effect from its participation in the initiative, attracting two investments for about EUR 200, which is 10 times more than the national investment in the investment fund. The funds contributed to the modernisation and expansion of the port of Burgas, as well as to the construction of renewable energy capacities.

The President noted our country's contribution to the development of the Three Seas regional format during our hosting in 2021, when Bulgaria proposed the creation of an innovation fund to accelerate cooperation in science, research and innovation. This proposal takes on particular significance against the backdrop of the race in the field of artificial intelligence and the achievement of a better and more even distribution of scientific and research centres between Eastern and Western Europe. This is a pledge for greater investment interest in our region and socio-economic cohesion, Radev said. He also pointed out that, at Bulgaria's suggestion, Greece joined the initiative, which leads to the expansion of the transport, energy and digital corridors that pass through our country.

I hope that the negotiations that have begun to achieve peace in Ukraine will accelerate, and that we will soon see a real vision of Europe in this direction, and not for continuing the war, the head of state said in response to a question about restoring peace on the continent.

Asked about the conversation he had last weekend with the President of the European Council Antonio Costa, the President indicated that one of the main topics of the meeting was the European integration of the Republic of North Macedonia. I fully understand the President of the European Council, because he wants the integration of the Western Balkans to be accelerated, especially against the backdrop of geopolitical turmoil, Radev said, emphasising his position that the integration process must be sustainable and irreversible and be based on respect for the fundamental democratic principles of the EU and the Copenhagen criteria for membership.

North Macedonia has clear obligations described in the negotiating framework and in the protocols to it. They simply need to be fulfilled and I expect the country's leadership to show statesmanship, to finally fulfil the first conditions, the president said, adding that this means adopting changes to the country's constitution, so that the door to membership negotiations is opened. We are always ready to help North Macedonia on the path of European integration and we are doing so, the head of state stressed, but added that our country expects all steps from the 2022 European consensus, achieved with the consent of all 27 member states and North Macedonia itself, to be implemented.

I expect that the problems in North Macedonia with the rule of law, the fight against corruption and the implementation of the necessary reforms will not be hidden under the guise that Bulgaria is hindering the country's European integration. Bulgaria is not hindering but is ready to help, North Macedonia simply needs to undertake the necessary reforms, the head of state also said and emphasised that our country is actively working to strengthen transport connectivity with the Republic of North Macedonia.