INTERVIEWS

Interview by President Rumen Radev for the analytical economic magazine "Caspian energy"

Question: Your Excellency, Bulgaria and Azerbaijan are close strategic partners. Are you satisfied with the economic component and what potential do you see for developing cooperation?

Rumen Radev: Bulgaria attaches great importance to its relations with Azerbaijan and considers Azerbaijan a reliable strategic partner in the South Caucasus region and the wider Black Sea region. The intensive bilateral political dialogue over the last years is an evidence of our traditional friendly and expanding bilateral relations. The Joint Declaration on Strengthening the Strategic Partnership between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan which was signed during my recent visit to Baku in May 2024 reflects our common willingness to build on and expand the scope of our partnership in priority areas such as energy and connectivity, and to give impetus to other areas, where progress is less tangible.

We stand ready to intensify our economic cooperation, both bilaterally and within the framework of the EU’s policy to develop relations with the South Caucasus region and the wider Black Sea region, including the EU and Azerbaijan's strategic energy cooperation providing opportunities for stable and reliable gas supplies to Central and Eastern Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor. Unfortunately, the volume of our bilateral trade still does not meet the potential of our countries and we would like to change this state of our trade and economic relations.

It is for this reason that in every meeting I have with President Aliyev, I insist on a meeting between businesses of the two countries. We recognize the potential for developing a long-term and mutually beneficial partnership. In particular, there are possibilities for cooperation and development in the field of high-tech and high value-added industries, unmanned aerial vehicles, automotive, and clean technologies.

There are opportunities for joint investments in Bulgaria and Azerbaijan. Bulgaria can export internationally well-known industry equipment, food industry products, pharmaceuticals, perfumery-cosmetics, etc. As far as the possibilities of cooperation in the field of the military-industrial complex are concerned, I would like to underscore that the Bulgarian defense industry is specialized in production of light weapons, ammunitions, radio and optical equipment. We could propose a long-term, reliable and perspective partnership to Azerbaijan defense industry companies.

I am very glad that together we succeeded to restart the regular passenger flights Sofia-Baku. This air route is improving Bulgaria's connectivity with the Caspian Sea region, while creating new business and travel opportunities for both Bulgaria and Azerbaijan.

Question: How is the Solidarity Ring project implemented between Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia?

Rumen Radev: Connectivity in all its dimensions – energy, infrastructure, transport, digital and technological, social, is a key to promoting sustainable economic growth, competitiveness and development, as well as for enhancing our resilience in the context of the challenging and unstable security environment.

I would like to highlight my country's continuous and firm commitment to advance energy connectivity. The intensive political dialogue at the highest level with our partners, notably Azerbaijan, Greece and Turkey, as well as Romania, and other countries, has contributed to the development of a number of initiatives enhancing energy security not only of Bulgaria, but also of the regions of the Western Balkans as well as of Ukraine and Moldova, and of Europe as whole.

The Solidarity Ring project enables security of supply and diversification for Central and South-Eastern Europe in a prompt, efficient and affordable way by transferring additional quantities of gas from Azerbaijan. That is why the significance of this Bulgarian initiative was recognized by the European Commission that expressed firm support for its realization.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed on April 25, 2023 to promote cooperation between the operators of the gas transmission systems of Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and the Azerbaijani company SOCAR not only consolidates the successful partnership between the five countries, but will also lead to an increase in connectivity and capacity of the gas transmission network of the countries in the region. The office of SOCAR which was opened in Sofia in the presence of President Aliyev and myself in 2023 is also a very important step in that direction.

Question: Since Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007, the country has tripled its GDP without being a member of the Schengen zone. Which sectors have triggered the growth and what future lies ahead of them? 

Rumen Radev: Indicators of the Bulgarian economy are stable, including positive economic growth and low external debt. Bulgaria's macroeconomic stability is a fact against the backdrop of global economic and financial challenges.

Over the past few years, Bulgaria has launched an initiative to develop robotics and mechatronics to support and increase investments in machinery and automation in the sectors. Electronics represents the largest share of Bulgaria's total exports - 11%. Most foreign investments in Bulgaria are in this sector.

Bulgaria has more than 350 nationally and internationally recognized automotive companies – 8 billion euro turnover (11% of GDP), 35 R&D centres, more than 70 000 workers in this sector. 9 out of 10 European cars have a component manufactured in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is rapidly expanding industrial zones in various regions. The zones offer several advantages to investors, including industrial plots with necessary infrastructure, excellent location, and transportation connections. The main goals are to encourage investments in new and high-value sectors of economy, create favorable conditions for investors, assist in the implementation of Bulgarian and foreign investment projects, support the development of various economic regions in Bulgaria, and to develop industrial zones to the most recent standards.

All of these provide solid ground to further develop Bulgarian economy and Bulgarian businesses are already seeking for new perspective partnerships.

Question: President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev has invited Your Excellency to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) to be hosted in Baku in November.  What outcomes do you expect from COP29? How much is Bulgaria affected by climate change today?

Rumen Radev: First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to President Aliyev for inviting me personally to take part in the most significant event in the climate yearly calendar, but most importantly I would like to emphasize on the strategic importance of sustainable cooperation, especially in energy sector.

I am convinced that within the framework of the upcoming COP 29, in a spirit of widespread consensus, partnership and responsibility, the political leaders will achieve the strategic key outcomes and most significantly will be able to assure the common support for fair and ambitious new collective quantified goal on climate finance as well as to deliver workable climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.

Generally speaking, I expect that as a final outcome of the Conference the Parties will rebuild trust and foster global solidarity among themselves. The climate change must continue to be pointed up and raise awareness about the importance of climate actions and climate equity can contribute for streamlining the political responsibility. Transparent, open discussions about climate challenges can help in a widely known understanding of the reality about the climate situation. The issues facing all politics and the entire international climate community are even more complex today.

Fires, heatwaves, droughts, floods or water scarcity have become more common year after year and unfortunately these events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity because of climate change. There is no single country all around the world where the impact of climate change cannot be seen and felt. Bulgaria is no exception. The 2023 was among the worst in the EU in this century. What about 2024? Regrettably, the latest data show that new records may be registered this year.

The risk assessment shows that there is a growing gap between the needed technical equipment and adequate infrastructure for dealing with disasters, which causes substantial damage and loss. Every day we record economic losses and fatalities from weather- and climate-related events. We must adapt and prepare for life in a changing climate. The fight against climate change requires collective action - from governments, institutions, businesses and individuals.

I would like to emphasize again on the importance of collaboration between the Parties for an accelerated response and to strengthen the resiliency of the countries for a changing climate. Working together across borders, we can share equipment and technology, resources and approaches to tackle climate change more effectively.

The extreme disastrous events are unfortunate reminders of the changing and volatile climate that the world needs to adapt to and prepare for, while taking action to drastically reduce carbon emissions in order to slow down and limit climate change.

Being an EU member state, Bulgaria is strongly committed to reaching the EU climate targets and is considerably advancing in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Challenging and ambitious climate goals are included in our strategic plans. We are strongly determined to follow our path towards climate neutral, resilient, sustainable and circular society. For sure, the transition must be socially and economically just and inclusive. Our main objective is to guarantee the sustainability of this transformation without compromising the standard and quality of life and the competitiveness of the economy.

At this year’s COP 29 the politicians will come again together to address the implementation of, support for, and collective assessment of the effectiveness of mitigation and adaptation measures. The COP29 is the most significant event to set key political milestones for climate actions and I expect strong, sustainable and crucial political signals for the coming year and beyond to be achieved as final outcomes.

Question: What hinders Bulgaria's entry into the Schengen zone?

Rumen Radev: Since 31 March 2024 Bulgaria, as well as Romania, have indeed become members of Schengen with certain limitations. Since that date, on the basis of an unanimous decision by the Council of the EU of December 2023, internal border controls have been lifted at air and sea borders and both countries apply fully the Schengen acquis, including on issuing Schengen visas.

Bulgaria entering Schengen by air is a positive but only partial achievement as it eases the air travel of citizens but not the delays, the bureaucratic difficulties and the economic losses at the land borders, particularly for business transport. The next step is lifting checks also at internal land borders between Bulgaria, Romania and other Schengen countries by a further decision by the Council on this matter.

Accession to Schengen is not a technical issue but political. The European Commission and the European Parliament have insisted for years that Bulgaria and Romania are ready to enter Schengen, but the accession of the two countries have met resistance from few EU states for reasons which have not been credible nor related to the established accession criteria but have rather been serving internal political purposes in respective countries.

My country remains determined to steadfastly pursue its legitimate goal of full accession to Schengen by achieving an agreement on lifting the checks at internal Schengen land borders by the end of this year. All EU Member States, except one, and the European Commission are supportive of this goal.

Bulgaria has continuously proved its strong commitment to ensure protection of the EU external borders. Our ongoing efforts, in collaboration with the European Commission and the EU agencies, have contributed to better addressing the security and migration challenges. Therefore, I believe that the last obstacle before our full Schengen accession should be overcome soon. Bulgaria’s joining Schengen will not only open up greater economic opportunities but will enhance security and resilience in the whole region, as well thus, undoubtedly, making the EU stronger.