As member states of the EU and NATO, Bulgaria and Greece are responsible for the security and stability of the region
18 June 2015 News
As member states of the EU and NATO, Bulgaria and Greece are responsible for the security and stability of the region. We pursue a consistent policy in support of the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries of the Western Balkans in compliance with the corresponding criteria, including good neighborly relations. This was stated by Minister Daniel Mitov at a joint press conference with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias, who is paying a working visit to Bulgaria.
Greece and Bulgaria can and must and do have an interest in developing – to the benefit of the entire region– a special relationship that learns from the past and looks with confidence to the future, said Minister Nikos Kotzias. We need to underscore to all of Europe that Bulgaria and Greece are the best paradigm of friendship and cooperation between two neighbours with a long history, he said.
Minister Mitov praised the cooperation with Greece within the region, expressing confidence that it will continue during the forthcoming Bulgarian Chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP). He thanked the Greek side for supporting the Bulgarian initiative to prepare a Statement on the inviolability of the borders in Southeast Europe. The European Union is not shifting borders but symbolically dissolving them and we want that for our region, he said.
Among the main topics discussed by the two foreign ministers were cooperation in the field of economy, energy, social policy, culture, education and the fight against illegal immigration. Daniel Mitov noted that the commercial transactions between the two countries come to over €3 billion and Greece is in one of the top positions in foreign investments in our country. In this context, Bulgaria is interested in the finding of a mutually acceptable solution between Greece and its international financial partners that will lead Greece once again onto the path of growth and progress, he said.
Minister Mitov reaffirmed Bulgaria’s consistent support for all initiatives aimed at strengthening the energy security of Southeast Europe and of the entire EU. Our country is interested in and is participating in the implementation of the EU’s strategic initiatives for the construction of the necessary infrastructure and for diversification of the EU’s energy suppliers. These include the Southern gas corridor and the North-South interconnectors, the initiative for a Vertical Gas Corridor, access to LNG, as well as to the reverse-flow pipelines in Eastern and Central Europe. For Bulgaria, the idea of the construction of a vertical gas pipeline holds great potential with regard to the energy security of Southeast Europe and the EU as a whole, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister said. For his part, Nikos Kotzias pointed out that the construction of the Vertical Gas Corridor is an urgent need, as it is of great importance for the stability of the entire region.
The energy diversification and the energy security of the EU start here, from the interconnectedness between Bulgaria and Greece, Minister Mitov said, adding that this is a main priority for us, and we expect it to remain and be maintained as a main priority within the framework of the EU. The Greek Foreign Minister expressed confidence in the swift signing of the final investment decision for the interconnector between the two countries. In his words, it is not only beneficial, but also ensures our energy security and is part of the new EU foreign policy.
The problems with regard to the intensive migration pressure are common for our countries, and the responsibility must be shared among all the EU member states, Minister Mitov said He expressed hope that the agreement between Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey on the operation of a trilateral contact center for police and customs cooperation signed on 25 May in Sofia will be soon ratified by the national parliaments and applied in practice.
Later today Minister Kotzias will be received by the Chairperson of the National Assembly Tsetska Tsacheva and the President Rosen Plevneliev.
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