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The Head of State in Rome: Taking Over the Presidency of the European Council, Bulgaria Will Put Greater Energy into the Future of United Europe

Taking over the Presidency of the European Council, Bulgaria will continue with even greater energy to be committed to the future of our common European project. We will work in close cooperation with the other EU member states and the European institutions and we will support every effort which will make it possible to improve our union, preserving its remarkable achievements. This is what Rumen Radev told journalists in Rome after the solemn commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome.

The Head of State said the adoption of the Rome Declaration is of key importance for promoting the ongoing debates on the future of the EU in the next decade and beyond. “The Declaration reaffirms the unity of the Union and its integrity. It also reflects our common understanding that the EU needs more efficiency and needs to strengthen its relations with the people, particularly in the context of the myriad of unprecedented complex internal and external challenges it has been facing in the past years,” Rumen Radev added.

The President emphasized that the Rome Declaration confirms the EU’s resolution to face today’s challenges holding onto its values, commitments and historic achievements and without questioning its fundamental principles.

Within the European Council meeting held on 9 and 10 March 2017 in Brussels, Bulgaria clearly voiced its support for the EU’s unity, for solidarity and cohesion as fundamental principles of the EU, the Head of State further recalled. “Our country’s positions were fully understood by the other EU member states and were reflected in the text of the Rome Declaration. Without these principles, it is impossible to build a strong, prospering and worldwide-respected Europe. Without unity, solidarity and cohesion, we cannot build on our Union’s historic achievements,” Rumen Radev emphasized.

“The Rome Declaration sets a new EU agenda, which adds to and builds on our strategic priorities and will also impact the program and priorities of the Bulgarian presidency of the European Council,” the President further said.

The Bulgarian President took part in the ceremony dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome and signed the Rome Declaration together with the state and government leaders of the EU member states.