Deepening of relations between the EU and eastern neighbors will bring mutual benefits in socio-economic and political spheres and promote stability and prosperity in the region, the Prime Minister said at the Riga Summit

“Bulgaria supports the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the countries of the Eastern Partnership and visa liberalization for those countries, when the necessary conditions are met”, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said in a speech at the plenary session of the Eastern Partnership Summit, which is being held in Riga.

The Prime Minister noted that Eastern European countries should not be faced with the dilemma of choosing between the EU and Russia. “The establishment of a functioning democracy, strong institutions, and a strong economy is in the interest of partner countries and the EU, as well as Russia,” Borissov said.

In terms of visa liberalization, the Prime Minister said that Bulgaria welcomed the progress of Ukraine and Georgia and expressed hope that the two countries will successfully complete the process as soon as possible, following the example of the Republic of Moldova, for which visa-restrictions were lifted in 2014.

“Holding this meeting less than two years after the Vilnius Summit, and considering the dramatic events that took place in the region in the meantime, demonstrates the unifying power of the Eastern Partnership and its potential to achieve long-term stability and prosperity in Eastern Europe,” Borissov said. He added that success was linked to the capacity and will of the governments of partner countries to implement agreed reforms. “Bulgaria was among the first Member States to ratify the bilateral Association Agreements with the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine. These agreements are a recognition of the hard work and progress of partner countries in recent years towards a stable and prosperous democracy and I am confident that this is not the end of our cooperation, but rather an open process,“ the Prime Minister pointed out.

“We expect relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue evolving in a positive way, depending on the level of commitment they can undertake and on identified mutual interests. Azerbaijan is a strategic partner for Bulgaria and we are ready to constructively participate in finding a mutually satisfactory model of relations with the EU. I hope the desire of Belarus to develop closer ties with the EU becomes irreversible, which would allow it to more broadly use the opportunities the Eastern Partnership has to offer," Borissov added.
He pointed out that deepening of relations between the EU and eastern neighbors would contribute to mutual benefits in socio-economic and political spheres and promote stability and prosperity in the region of Eastern Europe.