NEWS

The Central and East European countries voiced support for stronger integration and connection

On its way to European integration, Ukraine will rely on Bulgaria’s expertise which creates opportunities for increasing interaction and cooperation. This is what President Rosen Plevneliev commented, who spoke in Bratislava with the Ukrainian Head of State Victor Yanukovych.  The two leaders have marked Bulgaria and Ukraine’s aspirations towards embarking on a new stage in their bilateral relations.

The bi-lateral trade exceeded one billion euros in 2012 and there is a potential for its increase, the two presidents pointed out, emphasizing the need to stimulate the activity of the intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation.  

President Rosen Plevneliev informed that his future visit to Ukraine is being prepared together with representatives of the business circles. Bulgarian companies working in the pharmaceutical and food processing sectors are interested in investing in Ukraine and entering the domestic market.  A strong accent is expected to be put on the cultural cooperation between the two friendly countries. “We have been speaking about strengthening the economic aspects of foreign policy and realize the importance of diversifying the markets, so we should direct ourselves to a market where we enjoy trust and where strong cultural relations have been established. And the Bulgarians in Ukraine are a very strong bridge for ensuring cooperation,” the Head of State commented.

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski has accepted the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart to visit our country, it became clear after the meeting between the two leaders was over.  Presidents Plevneliev and Komorovski were adamant that despite the 55-percent growth of the trade between Bulgaria and Poland during the first quarter of 2013 alone, the economic relations between the two countries should be intensified.

According to the Polish Head of State, efforts should also be put in reviving Polish tourists’ visits to the Bulgarian seaside resorts.

Rosen Plevneliev and Bronislaw Komorowski exchanged ideas for a more efficient management and implementation of the EU funds, in which sphere Poland has rich experience. The opportunities to connect the energy systems of the countries in the region, the future of the Nabucco-West project and the opportunities for diversifying energy supplies were also discussed.

President Rosen Plevneliev defined as extremely positive the 18th summit of the heads of state of the countries from Central and Eastern Europe in Bratislava.  The leaders of the 20 countries from the region have voiced support for boosting integration and connection. “This is a very strong Bulgarian thesis and we are willing to work towards regional and European connection,” Rosen Plevneliev said and recalled that investors invariably consider the overall potential of the region, not that of each country separately.

President Rosen Plevneliev went on to say that the concepts of New Europe and Old Europe were outdated as the so-called New Europe is a symbol of reforms, so such a distinction should no longer be made. The pragmatic approach should be given priority, which requires joint efforts to resolve the common problems and the governments should work more efficiently across the borders, since the problems are cross-border, Rosen Plevneliev summarized one of the major messages communicated at the summit.