NEWS

The President: the countries from the EU Eastern partnership need long-term European prospects

The political crisis in Bulgaria and Europe and its solutions, the development of the countries from Southeast Europe and the Black Sea region, as well as the Eastern partnership in the EU were issues debated at the meeting held between President Rosen Plevneliev and German President Joachim Gauck in Krakow, Poland.  The two heads of state are in Poland to take part in the meeting between the presidents from the “Arraiolos” group, together with the presidents of Portugal, Austria, Finland, Poland, Italy, Estonia and Latvia. The Bulgarian Head of State is taking part in a Meeting of the Presidents from this format for the first time.

The two leaders exchanged opinions on the public discontent and the political configuration in and out of parliament in Bulgaria. President Gauck expressed his hope that the situation in Bulgaria will stabilize and a long-lasting solution to the political crisis in Bulgaria will be found.  “Germany is Bulgaria’s great friend, it keeps close track of the unfolding events and will continue to work together with the responsible factors in Bulgaria so as to ensure stabilization and find a long-lasting solution to the political crisis we are in,” Rosen Plevneliev said before joining the first plenary session of the forum in Krakow.

Rosen Plevneliev and Joachim Gauck noted the positive development of the processes of European integration in the countries from Southeast Europe. The Bulgarian president said that a date for beginning the negotiations on Serbia’s EU accession is to be fixed. “Albania deserves to acquire the status of a candidate-state for EU membership since it meets most of the requirements laid down by the European Commission, and Monte Negro has already closed its first negotiation chapters,” President Plevneliev added.

The Head of State further said that Macedonia has positive European prospects.  However, it should first of all adhere to the fundamental principles.  One of them is the principle of good-neighborly relations, Rosen Plevneliev said.

The President emphasized Bulgaria’s active position regarding the countries from the EU Eastern partnership. Rosen Plevneliev reiterated that Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova need long-term European prospects. Therefore the offered Agreements for EU accession are of strategic importance for all of us, the Head of State commented.

“Bulgaria supports each of these countries and within the UN, as an active member of the “Friends of Ukraine” group, we had the opportunity to voice our firm support. Bulgaria will continue to work actively in the next two months until these important decisions are made. However, it also depends on these countries to what extent they will meet the requirements and show in action their belonging to Europe, so that they can ensure these long-term prospects,” President Plevneliev further added.

On 8 and 9 October in Krakow, the Bulgarian Head of State will take part in three thematic discussions, dedicated to the crisis in Europe and the ways it can be solved, to the strategic relationships between the EU and the US, and also to the Eastern partnership and “the prospects each country has for securing its long-term, guaranteed and worthy place in Europe.”

“We hope that by the end of the year a consensus will be reached on these issues on a European level as well,” the Head of State further commented.