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President Iotova to European Ambassadors: The European Union Can Achieve Strategic Autonomy and regain Its Leadership Role

The Head of State held a meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions of the Member States within the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 

The European Union can achieve strategic autonomy and regain its leadership role with its strong positions. With regard to global conflicts, Europe must have a consolidated position to defend. This was stated by President Iliana Iotova at a meeting with ambassadors of the Member States, organised within the framework of the concluding Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. According to Iotova, the Cyprus Presidency, whose motto is “An Autonomous Union Open to the World”, has outlined the contours of the strategic autonomy of the European Union.

The future and challenges facing the EU – from the issue of enlargement to the economic development and stability of the union, were commented on by the Head of State and the ambassadors during the meeting that lasted over two hours.  Iliana Yotova emphasised that the leading issue for the union is the issue of security in all its aspects.

The President pointed out that in the context of the changed international order, the European Union must strengthen its defence capabilities, build a common and comprehensive security and defence policy. She declared herself in favor of strengthening the European pillar of defence and security within NATO. Iotova also emphasised Bulgarian projects in the field of defence under the SAFE instrument.

Europe is lagging behind in building the Energy Union and continues to be dependent on energy supplies, and the diversification network is not sufficiently developed, said the head of state. She highlighted the energy projects that Bulgaria is working on – the Vertical Gas Corridor, which will guarantee energy security and diversification of natural gas supplies for the countries of Southeastern, Eastern and Central Europe, as well as the two projects for the transmission of green energy from Azerbaijan.

The President was categorical that the European Union should focus on strengthening its industrial production, well coordinated between the member states, as a way out of the crises that are surging one after another.

Iliana Yotova also pointed out Europe's lagging behind in the development of high technologies and artificial intelligence. She recalled that Bulgaria has great potential in this direction and is one of the six countries selected by the European Commission to build an artificial intelligence gigafactory.

The topic of the conversation between the President and the European ambassadors was also the Union's Multiannual Financial Framework. The Head of State highlighted the new financing philosophy, which is currently meeting resistance among the member states. She expressed reservations about the unification of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Cohesion Policy. Iotova pointed out that the multiannual European budget must achieve both financial stability and preserve policies to equalize living standards in the member states. The President stated that Bulgaria is preparing its positions within the budget.

On the question of whether the direction of the European Union is towards more federalism or greater sovereignty of the countries, the Head of State pointed out that the Member States must have strong national positions, after the discussion of which a consensus should be reached in making common decisions. She reiterated her position against the division of the countries into different groups within the EU.

The topic of the enlargement of the European Union was also discussed at the meeting. Iliana Iotova stressed that each country must fulfill all the criteria for membership before being accepted into the EU. Regarding the Republic of North Macedonia, she stressed that Skopje must fulfill the pan-European position of 2022 for the accession of the Republic of North Macedonia to the EU. A key criterion in European policy is the protection of human rights.

The European ambassadors also put before the President issues from the domestic political agenda of Bulgaria, stating their expectations for political stability. The Head of State once again emphasised that there will be no change in the foreign policy orientation of the country, which has long made its choice, which is the European Union.