Migration and protecting the EU’s external borders are a common issue for Bulgaria and Malta, the two countries will coordinate their positions on and will work together to overcome the challenges they face within the forthcoming Maltese and Bulgarian presidency of the Council of Europe. This is what emerged at the talks held in Valletta between President Rosen Plevneliev and Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat.
The two exchanged views on the current challenges in Europe, related to the migration crisis, the security environment and also on issues related to the bilateral relations.
The Bulgarian chairmanship-in-office of the SEECP and of the Council of Europe in 2016 showed that the countries in the region may reach a consensus together, the Head of State said at the meeting. The President emphasized that the Bulgarian voice in the region is clearly heard, and Malta can draw on the Bulgarian experience to face the challenges in a regional aspect.
President Rosen Plevneliev further outlined the priorities of the region in Southeast Europe for the foreign investors and encouraged the Maltese business to be more active and to seek opportunities for interaction with Bulgarian and regional partners. “We would like to promote the cooperation on all levels between the two countries and strengthen the contacts between the people,” the Head of State further said.
In Valletta the Head of State held talks with the the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta Angelo Farugia.