Bulgaria and Germany will work for a more active bilateral cooperation based on new and stronger trust
10 March 2015 News
Relations with the Federal Republic of Germany are of strategic and priority importance for Bulgaria. Today's visit of my counterpart Minister Steinmeier is a continuation of the conversation that we’ve started in Berlin, and reflects the agreement of Prime Minister Borissov and Chancellor Merkel on closer and more active bilateral cooperation and dialogue between our two countries based on new and stronger trust, said Minister Daniel Mitov at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is paying an official visit to Sofia at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart.
Our regular meetings in recent weeks are an affirmation of the ever closer and developing relations between our two countries. The bilateral cooperation is necessary in view of the challenges we face, including the challenges to the European security in the context of the situation in Ukraine, but also the economic difficulties within the EU, said on his part Minister Steinmeier.
Europe’s expansion and the relations between the different countries are not built only on the basis of official meetings, but on contacts between our two nations, Steinmeier said. He noted that 5000 German companies operate in Bulgaria, tens of thousands of Bulgarians live and work in Germany, and some 5000 Bulgarian students attend German universities. All those people who build and deepen the relations between our two countries are welcome in Germany, Steinmeier pointed out.
The two top diplomats agreed on an enhanced schedule of bilateral consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs on current issues on the European agenda of special interest for Bulgaria. Among them are the European future of the Western Balkans and the support for the necessary reforms, including through Bulgaria’s participation in the so-called Berlin process; the need for a new approach and EU Strategy for the Black Sea; the future of the Minsk process and Russia-Ukraine problems; the challenges of the situation in Syria, Iraq and the Middle East and the increased refugee and migration pressure.
FRG will help Bulgaria prepare for assuming our first EU Presidency, including training of Bulgarian officials in German institutes on the individual EU files, Minister Mitov said. Bulgarian side is ready to accept diplomats from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs - both in Sofia and in our Permanent representation to the EU in Brussels to work together with our diplomats.
Bulgaria and Germany will start an active bilateral energy dialogue whose aim will be to guarantee lasting energy security of our country, including through the opportunities offered by the EU Energy Union and the European investment plan. Besides support for judicial reform in Bulgaria and cooperation in strengthening the rule of law and justice, we expect Germany to provide support for improving performance in using EU funds, said Minister Mitov.
Together with Minister Steinmeier we reaffirmed the commitment of both governments to provide maximum assistance, guarantees and encourage German investments in the Bulgarian economy and increase bilateral trade, said in conclusion Minister Daniel Mitov.
More photos
