NEWS

Iliana Iotova: The Conflict in Ukraine Has No Military Solution

Head of State meets with the Prime Minister of Slovakia 

The conflict in Ukraine has no military solution and must end as soon as possible, and this is the responsibility of every country in the European Union. Diplomacy and negotiations are needed. This was stated by President Iliana Iotova at a meeting with the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico, who is visiting our country. There are very few politicians in the European Union who talk about peace as much as you and the Bulgarian Prime Minister, Fico said in turn.

The head of state welcomed the Slovak Prime Minister in the Coat of Arms Hall at Dondukov 2. The two held a one-on-one meeting, after which talks between the Bulgarian and Slovak delegations took place.

Iotova highlighted the excellent development of relations between Bulgaria and Slovakia in all spheres of cooperation, as well as the good interaction of the two countries within the framework of the European Union.

The Bulgarian head of state and the Slovak prime minister also discussed the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework. Bulgaria and Slovakia share common positions on the cohesion and Common Agricultural Policy, which was emphasised during the conversation. According to President Iotova, during the negotiations on the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework, it is necessary to intensify cooperation within the Friends of Cohesion group. The desire of the European institutions to vote on it as soon as possible, without clearing up problematic aspects of it, creates risks for the competitiveness of some countries, she added.

Iliana Iotova and Robert Fico also discussed the enlargement of the European Union. They were adamant that the accession process should be according to the rules and based on the achievements of the candidate countries. You know that we have certain problems with the Republic of North Macedonia and its membership in the EU. We are looking for your support for Skopje to follow the European accession policy. For four years, we have not seen progress in the implementation of the commitments undertaken by the Republic of North Macedonia in 2022," the president noted.

The President highlighted the care of the Slovak side for the Bulgarian community, its cultural and educational institutions. This is extremely important for us, Iotova pointed out and added that the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Bulgarian Secondary School "Hristo Botev" in Bratislava is coming soon. In connection with cooperation in the field of education, she also highlighted the Bulgarian language lecturers at leading universities in Slovakia.