Bulgaria and Estonia share common positions and interests regarding the EU cohesion policy, the measures for encouraging innovations as well as the liberalization of the energy markets and the diversification of the energy sources in compliance with the requirements of the EU Third Liberalization Energy Package. These were the main topics discussed in the talks held between Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and his Estonian counterpart Toomas Ilves during the first day of the Bulgarian Head of State’s visit to Tallinn.
“We have common ideas and vision for the long-term planning of the EU up till 2020. Both countries think that special programs for the underdeveloped European regions are needed and they rely on the support of the EU cohesion policy for the development of infrastructure,” President Rosen Plevneliev commented.
The basic stress in the head of State’s visit is the experience the Baltic state has in the sphere of providing electronic services for the citizens and the business. According to President Ilves, Estonia, which is among the leaders in the sphere of electronic governance, owes its success to the political will to realize this priority. The institution which is directly in charge of the implementation of this priority is clearly indicated.
The two presidents agreed that Estonia should be Bulgaria’s partner when electronic services for citizens are introduced.
“If Bulgaria manages to guarantee European funding for introducing the e-governance in Bulgaria in the period 2014-2020, we can literally perform miracles with our Estonian friends in a year and a half,” the President said after his meeting with his Estonian counterpart. “A bold decision is needed - if we introduce the e-governance in two years, Bulgaria will be a different country,” Rosen Plevneliev further emphasized.
The two presidents stressed the importance of the forthcoming summit on East EU partnership to be held in Vilnius in November 2013 and explicitly emphasized their support for signing an Agreement for associating with Ukraine and other countries involved in the process.
The EU enlargement with the West Balkan countries was also discussed. President Rosen Plevneliev reiterated Bulgaria’s support for Serbia’s EU integration and that of the other countries from the West Balkans. According to the Bulgarian Head of State, the Balkans need a further positive example after Croatia joined the EU.
During the meeting held between the two presidents, it became clear that Bulgaria and Estonia share the opinion that a policy of fiscal discipline is needed, as well as that of maintaining low budget deficits and levels of the state debt.
The trade between Bulgaria and Estonia has grown in the past years. However, a much greater potential exists, President Rosen Plevneliev and Andrus Ansip, prime minister of Estonia, commented during their meeting. The two discussed the project for connecting the Baltic and Black Sea ports with a railway by using the new instrument for connectedness of Europe. The opportunities for increasing the bilateral flow of tourists and opening direct flights between Bulgaria and Estonia, particularly during the summer tourist season, were discussed.
President Ilves and Prime Minister Ansip confirmed their support for Bulgaria’s entry into the Schengen zone.
The Head of State also held talks with Ene Ergma, Estonian parliamentary speaker, and visited the E-Governance Academy in Tallinn.