The Bulgarian institutions represented by parliament, government and the President, have pooled their efforts to ensure the successful performance of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is what head of state Rumen Radev said at his meeting with the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani and leaders and representatives of the political groups in the European Parliament. The head of state went on to say that the Bulgarian citizens are among the strongest adherents and proponents of the unity of the European Union.
During its rotational presidency of the Council, Bulgaria will not pursue narrow national interests but will be a partner and intermediary in tackling the pressing challenges that the European community is facing, Rumen Radev also pointed out. In the words of the head of state, the coming presidency opens up the opportunity for Bulgaria to increase public trust in the work of the Bulgarian institutions in the long run.
The President familiarized the President of the European Parliament with Bulgaria's most important priorities during the Council's presidency, among which is the EU accession of the countries from the Western Balkans. "Bulgaria is well aware of the price of peace in the Balkans. We will draw on all our experience as member of the European Union to work toward promoting the stability and the EU integration of the Western Balkans, considering that the European Union is interested in the security and prosperity of our region", Rumen Radev further said. The President was adamant that Bulgaria is ready to support every country aspiring to join the EU in its attempt to carry out reforms and fulfil the membership criteria.
As a priority task of the EU's policy in the Balkans, the head of state identified improving cohesion. "The Western Balkans are surrounded by EU member states. We should work toward improving the communications along the East-West axis by constructing transport, energy, economic and digital corridors", the President further said.
During the meeting, this country's readiness to accede to the Schengen area was reconfirmed. The President yet again emphasized that Bulgaria does not accept the adding of new political criteria that have not been laid down in writing so far, given that this country has already met all requirements for accession to Schengen area back in 2011.
Cohesion policy is of key importance not only for Bulgaria and Eastern Europe but also for the EU, considering the ambition to build up a stronger and more stable Union in which all member states can effectively participate in the common policies, Rumen Radev also pointed out.
As one of the serious challenges that the European Union is facing, the Bulgarian President identified the migratory crisis and called for replacing the EU's "open door" policy to migrants with a policy of supporting countries from Africa and the Middle East in their attempts to improve the living conditions of their citizens and ensure their development.
President Antonio Tajani expressed his belief that the European Parliament and Bulgaria shared the same priorities that topped the European agenda in the context of the coming presidency. "Migration, terrorism and economic growth are among the most important topics for the EU. It is our priority to work toward compiling the next European budget, reduce the unemployment among the youth in the member states. If want to find an efficient solution in respect of fighting migration, we should develop a proactive European foreign policy, and build up integrated defense capabilities", the President of the European Parliament said.