NEWS

Bulgaria and Croatia Will Work Together to Ensure Stability, Connectivity and Development in the Region

Presidents Rosen Plevneliev and Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic voiced their resolution that Bulgaria and Croatia will work together to ensure stability, connectivity and development in the region. The development of bilateral relations, regional cooperation, energy security, migration, the fight against terrorism, were among the topics discussed by the two presidents at 2 Dondukov street within the framework of President  Grabar-Kitarovic’s visit to Bulgaria.

Bulgaria and Croatia share a common vision for the development of regional cooperation, for the connectivity of the infrastructure, for energy diversification and security, and also for the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkan countries.

“Bulgaria and Croatia support the European integration of their neighbors. The process of EU enlargement will not be completed unless all Western Balkan countries become part of the European family. We unanimously agree that the positive change in the Balkans is a result of the engine of European integration,” President Rosen Plevneliev said. The Head of State recalled that Bulgaria has always been consistent in its support for the European integration of the Western Balkan countries. “The guiding principle we adhere to is that of good neighborliness and adopting a common European approach to our common history, which should not divide us and should not be falsified,” the President highlighted.

The two presidents also shared the position that the development of regional cooperation and the improvement of the transport and energy connectivity should be a priority for all countries from the region. “Energy security may be achieved only through the connectivity of the electricity and gas transmission networks, which will be ensured by building a system of inter-connectors. Every country in the region should have access to alternative sources. Therefore the establishment of the European Energy Union and of a regional energy bourse is a common priority,” the Head of State said.

Rosen Plevneliev and  Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic also exchanged opinions on the migration crisis Europe is facing. Bulgaria and Croatia acclaim the agreement reached between the EU and Turkey two weeks ago. The two countries think that the refugee wave does not affect individual countries only, but the whole EU and therefore a common solution should be reached. “We should be proactive, we should focus on eliminating the causes, not act post-factum.  Europe should take firmer actions to solve the conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa,” President Plevneliev said and once again pinpointed Bulgaria as a good example of a country that strictly applies European rules and contributes to European security.

Together with his Croatian counterpart the President also discussed the necessity to pool efforts in the fight against terrorism. “The terror acts in the heart of Europe showed that no one is insured or immune against terrorism. Eliminating the causes of marginalization and social exclusion, which lead to radicalization require consistent efforts not only by the individual countries, but also on a European level,” the Bulgarian Head of State said. Europe should not succumb to fear, but should defend its values and way of life, the two presidents were adamant.
The level of risk in the EU as a whole has been the highest since the end of World War II, President Rosen Plevneliev added in reply to a journalist’s question. “Terrorism knows no borders. The solution we should come up with can only be common,” the Head of State commented. “To successfully fight with the ideology of terrorism, we should establish working European instruments for the integration of marginalized groups. If the EU member states isolate themselves in their short-term and narrow-national interests, this will result in an even more severe crisis caused by the lack of solidarity,” Rosen Plevneliev warned. “Bulgaria and Croatia support a pan-European approach to finding solutions,” the President emphasized.

Presidents Rosen Plevneliev and Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic also commented on the opportunities for cooperation in the spheres of long-term regional planning until 2030, by implementing the UN goals on sustainable development.  The two countries will also work so as to boost bilateral trade, investments and tourist exchange, including through the resumption of the direct air communication between Sofia and Zagreb.