NEWS

The European Commission understands and respects Bulgaria’s willingness to decide on its own when to nominate the new Bulgarian representative in the European Commission. This is what emerged at a joint briefing of Bulgarian Head of State Rumen Radev and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

 

“We have different options. We can either have the caretaker government propose the commissioner, which will impact the election campaign, or we can wait for the newly elected government to make such a decision. I would like to thank Mr. Juncker for his understanding and for his readiness to wait,” President Radev said.

 

“I have some understanding for the fact that Bulgaria wants to propose a Commissioner after the general elections. I have understanding for that,” Jean-Claude Juncker said. We have not discussed specific names, but I would only like a lady to be nominated for this post, Jean-Claude Juncker added. 

 

The European Commission President welcomed Bulgaria’s efforts and the progress achieved under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism and confirmed his expectation that the mechanism will be lifted by the end of the current European Commission’s term. 

Statement by Head of State Iliana Iotova

For projects aimed at improving connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkiye must be viewed as a whole, to be successful, and within the context of closer cooperation in Southeastern Europe. This will bolster both economic development and security in the region, whose strategic importance is growing. This was stated by President Iliana Iotova at a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is on a formal visit to Bulgaria.

Albulena Haxhiu expressed her gratitude to President Iotova for Bulgaria’s support on Kosovo’s path toward membership in NATO and the European Union.

Iliana Iotova raised the issue of depopulation in the area along the Bulgarian-Serbian border and highlighted the need for investment to counter the adverse demographic trend.