NEWS

Rumen Radev: Bulgaria and Croatia are an Example of Partnership in the Name of Stability, Prosperity and the European Future of Our Region

Bulgaria and Croatia share a lot of common priorities ranking high on the EU agenda and they will continue to cooperate actively on important topics such as the social and economic cohesion of the “old” and “new” member states, Europe’s future, and the enlargement process. This was the common position shared by President Rumen Radev and the President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who held a meeting at 2 Dondukov Street today. The Croatian President is on an official visit in Bulgaria at the invitation of Rumen Radev.

Bulgaria and Croatia are an example of partnership in the name of stability, prosperity and the European future of our region, Rumen Radev said at the meeting. He highlighted the responsibility that the two countries have assumed to reaffirm the security and stability in Southeastern Europe. “Our common position brought back into the EU’s focus our neighboring countries, aspiring to join the EU. We have the ambition and are working together to ensure the Western Balkans’ integration and the connectivity between the people,” Rumen Radev said. The Croatian Presidency of the EU Council in 2020 will maintain the continuity and consistency in strengthening the Western Balkans’ prospects for European integration, President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic emphasized. 

The two Presidents were unanimous that the only way to tackle the unresolved issues between the Western Balkan countries is to continue the dialogue and called on the EU to assume an unswerving commitment to the future of the region.  

Both Rumen Radev and Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic highlighted the friendly relations and the deep historical and cultural ties between Bulgaria and Croatia. The efficient bilateral partnership within the EU and NATO contributes to the development of these relations.

The excellent political dialogue is the basis for a much more intense and pragmatic cooperation in bilateral trade in the spheres of energy, transport and digital connectivity, education, science and culture. The two Presidents voiced support for launching a direct air flight between Sofia and Zagreb, which will promote tourism and the contacts between the businesses and citizens of the two countries. The potential for increasing the mutual investments and trade in the spheres of electrical engineering, chemical and pharmaceutical production and food production was emphasized at the meeting. The Presidents came up with a common stance to hold a Bulgarian-Croatian business forum at which projects of mutual interest will be discussed. 

The two Presidents also commented the steps taken by the two countries to modernize their armed forces as well as the prospects for strengthening the partnership between Bulgaria and Croatia in the sphere of defense within NATO.

Taking a journalist’s question regarding the future of the relations between the EU and Russia at the joint news conference, the Bulgarian Head of State said that we should not forget that Bulgaria is now holding the presidency over the EU Council. “Bulgaria should pursue a policy of dialogue and balance. Bulgaria is a loyal member of all unions it is member of. These are alliances based on clear values, among which is transparency. Hence we should be provided with clear and indisputable evidence in order to take further steps,” President Radev said.

Earlier on the official welcoming ceremony of President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic in Bulgaria took place at the Alexander Nevski Square.