Ekaterina Zaharieva addresses Heiko Maas: Bulgaria is a Safe Destination, German Nationals Are Welcome Here
18 June 2020 News.jpeg)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva urged the EU for solidarity and quick decision-making to ensure the recovery of its economy from the coronavirus crisis.
“We are in a period when we have to adopt measures to revive our countries’ economies and the common market quickly. Therefore , we need to agree on the new instrument proposed by the European Commission and on the next European budget quickly,” Ekaterina Zaharieva said during talks with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, whom she met during his visit to Sofia on the occasion of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 July.
She highlighted Bulgaria’s adamant support for the priorities of the German Presidency, the top one being overcoming the consequences of the coronavirus crisis.
“We have high expectations for the German Presidency. We should do everything possible to ensure common agreement on the Commission’s proposal because our economies are very closely interconnected,” Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister said.
Heiko Maas thanked for the friendly attitude and for the opportunity to present the Presidency’s priorities. “We hope for support from Bulgaria, it being a constructive strategic partner within the framework of our Presidency. We will rely on you,” the German Foreign Minister said. According to him, the pandemic has revealed some of Europe’s weaknesses but also some strengths, such as solidarity. He referred to the Commission’s proposal as a good starting point but stated that each country should be ready to make concessions so that funds are used in a targeted fashion.
Ekaterina Zaharieva congratulated Heiko Maas on the choice of a motto for the Presidency: “Together for Europe’s recovery.” “The motto could not have been better, especially at this time,” Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister said.
The two Ministers also discussed the measures against the coronavirus in their respective countries, resuming travel and the impact of the crisis on economic ties. Ekaterina Zaharieva underscored the importance of Germany as Bulgaria’s main strategic and trading partner. Bilateral trade hit a record EUR 8.5 billion, growing by 3.7 percent in 2019. Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister expressed hope that the drop in bilateral trade resulting from the crisis would not be significant if measures were adopted in a timely manner. Ekaterina Zaharieva invited German tourists to return to Bulgaria this summer. Nearly 800,000 German tourists visited Bulgaria last year.
“I want to assure Heiko Maas and all Germans that they are welcome in Bulgaria. Our country is now a safe destination,” Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister said.
Heiko Maas praised the measures adopted by Bulgaria during the pandemic. “Bulgaria adopted timely and adequate measures for combating the coronavirus. I hope that many German tourists will travel to Bulgaria this summer because you have demonstrated that you are a secure and safe country. We see how important it is to continue to work in very close cooperation in order to ensure the safety and health of our nationals,” Germany’s Foreign Minister said.
Ekaterina Zaharieva expressed her hopes that, by 1 July, the EU will have agreed on common criteria and a decision on opening its external borders, too.
The talks also covered the Green Deal, the EU’s migration policy, the debate on the EU’s future and Brexit.