The implementation of Ukraine’s European prospects will create opportunities for achieving long-term stability and sustainable economic growth. This is what President Rosen Plevneliev said, who held talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kiev today. The Bulgarian Head of State confirmed his country’s support for the process of Ukraine’s EU association and closer cooperation with NATO.
Bulgaria will continue to defend its principled position of respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, President Plevneliev said and called on for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in the eastern part of the country. “We do not recognize the results of the referendum held in Crimea and the referendums conducted by the self-proclaimed authorities in Donetsk and Lugansk,” the Head of State further emphasized and voiced his support for the efforts made by President Petro Poroshenko to ease the tension in the areas of conflict.
The two shared the opinion that Bulgaria and Ukraine are connected through a real friendship and that the excellent top-level political dialogue creates favorable conditions for strengthening the bilateral partnership. The Ukrainian Head of State is due to visit our country in 2016.
The two countries will deepen their cooperation in the spheres of energy efficiency and the use renewable energy sources, it further emerged at the meeting. Ukraine plays a key role in the energy supplies to Europe and it is extremely important that it introduces European legislation in the energy sector, President Plevneliev said. The Head of State also voiced his support for liberalizing the visa regime for Ukrainian citizens and also for the reforms Ukraine has launched.
The two presidents made a review of the implementation of the agreements reached during the official visit of the Bulgarian Head of State in Ukraine in 2015 – a direct airline between Sofia and Kiev was opened, the reconstruction of the Odessa-Bolgrad-Reni road has started, which will facilitate the contacts of the Bulgarian community with our country. The number of scholarships that will be granted to our compatriots from Ukraine, who study at Bulgarian universities, has increased.
At the meeting President Plevneliev voiced his gratitude for the opportunity provided to our country to implement educational cultural programs among the Bulgarian community in Ukraine, which exceeds 250,000 people. “The representatives of the Bulgarian national minority are loyal citizens of Ukraine and it is important that a balanced law in compliance with European legislation on the state language policy and the languages of the minorities be adopted, which should guarantee their integration in all public spheres and the economy,” Rosen Plevneliev said.
Later today the Head of State will be presented the Personality of the Year award – 2015 of Ukraine.