28 November 2025 | 15:03
In his speech, the president pointed out that Bulgaria highly values its relations with Iraq, which is an important partner in the Middle East region
NEWS
Rosen Plevneliev: I will comply with whatever the National Assembly and the public decide about the future of Belene nuclear power station
2012-08-05 18:15:00
Bulgaria has fulfilled all the requirements for accession to the Schengen area, and I believe that our country will get a fair assessment of the results achieved, President Rosen Plevneliev told reporters today after being asked to comment on a statement a few days ago by German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich.
The President emphasised that apart from the statement by Minister Friedrich, Bulgarian institutions had not had an indication that the position of Germany had changed, which if it had would be an obstacle in the process of accession of Bulgaria to the Schengen zone. “We believe that the two-phase plan is correct and we expect a fair assessment of our efforts. Bulgaria is doing brilliantly and maintains its borders in a way much better than other countries,” the President underlined.
Asked to comment on the Coalition for Bulgaria’s petition for a referendum on the future of the Belene project, President Plevneliev said that as head of state, he would comply with the decision of the National Assembly and the will of the Bulgarian citizens. “We shall see how the question would be worded, at what time, and whether there will be a referendum at all. As an expert, I will repeat that instead of Bulgaria pouring 10 billion euro into a project with two old reactors that will produce power at least three times more expensive than that from Kozloduy nuclear power station, I invested a third of that in the national energy efficiency program that will have a greater impact on Bulgaria’s citizens, the economy and the city,” the President said.
Bulgaria and Macedonia should have good will and respect their histories, President Plevneliev told reporters after being asked whether the two countries were ready to jointly celebrate the anniversary of the Ilinden Uprising. “Bulgaria has a very well-intentioned attitude towards Macedonia. Historical facts are what they are, and we need to know and accept them, not to manipulate and change them,” the President said.
MORE FROM NEWS
24 November 2025 | 19:07
Taking advantage of their geostrategic position, Bulgaria and Georgia have the potential to deepen their connectivity in various areas such as transport, energy, and the digital sector, which will contribute to promoting the economy, investment, and prosperity in the Black Sea region. This was stated by President Rumen Radev, who held a meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili.
13 November 2025 | 14:02
The two were unanimous that restoring peace in Europe through diplomacy is a priority for the EU and the only way to ensure the long-term security and stability of the Old Continent.
12 November 2025 | 14:02
The President recalls that the institution of the Special Commercial Administrator (SCA) was introduced by an Act adopted in 2023, which also established a number of safeguards against potential abuse and arbitrariness — safeguards of the kind already adopted in other European states faced with similar circumstances, with the objective of minimising the risk of subsequent financial claims against the State