Mariya Gabriel: Good relations between Bulgaria and Greece are an axis of stability in Southeast Europe
27 February 2024 News
At the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic Giorgos Gerapetritis paid an official visit to Sofia.
‘Bulgaria and Greece are not only neighbours, but also friends, allies and strategic partners. The relations between the two countries are an axis of stability in Southeast Europe. Bulgaria sees Greece as a close partner in the region, within the EU and NATO’, the Deputy Prime Minister said.
During the discussions, emphasis was placed on deepening relations between the two countries on strategic connectivity projects in the fields of energy, transport and infrastructure. Adopted in autumn 2023. a Joint declaration of Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia and Romania to work together in connectivity, the construction of the North-South corridor and transport infrastructure were also in the focus of the talks. Among the topics discussed was the war in Ukraine and maintaining stability and security in the Black Sea region.
‘It is important that we continue to work together for connectivity in science, innovation, energy, education and to ensure a more sustainable development of South-Eastern Europe’, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs added and highlighted that in the last three years bilateral trade has increased by EUR 1 billion.
Mariya Gabriel thanked the Greek foreign minister for Greece's strong support for Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area and the euro area. She also thanked for the support for Bulgaria's membership in the OECD.
‘The relations between Bulgaria and Greece, besides common initiatives, also consist in the close contact between people. Nearly 2 million Bulgarians visit Greece every year. Cultural and digital diplomacy are increasingly important and we will continue to develop cooperation in these areas for concrete benefits for the citizens of both countries,’ Mariya Gabriel concluded.
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