Bulgaria and Italy to seek common solutions within the EU
14 April 2015 News
Bulgaria and Italy share many common political and foreign policy issues and we hope that we will continue to work together, both bilaterally and within the EU, said today Deputy Minister Rumen Alexandrov at a joint briefing with the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic, Benedetto Della Vedova. He emphasized the particular importance of his visit to Sofia, which is the first at a high political level in the last five years.
Deputy Minister Alexandrov underscored the excellent economic relations between the two countries. Italy is a traditionally important trade partner of Bulgaria. It ranks third in terms of volume of commodity exchange with Bulgaria, but is also very important in terms of investments, he said. There are over 100 Italian companies and I think that this economic cooperation could be further promoted and new Italian investments could be made in Bulgaria, said on his part Benedetto Della Vedova.
Among the topics of discussion were also illegal migration and asylum, the situation in Syria and Iraq and the developments, related to the so-called Islamic State. Our two countries' positions are very close. Both Bulgaria and Italy are exposed to strong migration pressure and we defend common positions within the EU. We expect a fairer distribution of the burden, related to migration and asylum, within the EU. I hope that we will be able to present specific joint legislative proposals on the subject, said Rumen Alexandrov.
Benedetto Della Vedova emphasized that the issues, related to illegal migration and asylum, cannot be fully Italian and Bulgarian problem, but should be a central issue for the EU as a whole. We share a common vision for the reasons that led to the current situation and we believe that a sincere and open discussion should be held within the EU in order to develop new efficient instruments, he said.
Energy security also featured on the agenda of the discussions. Both countries attach priority to the construction of the Southern Gas Corridor, part of which is the TAP project with the active participation of Italy, said Deputy Minister Rumen Alexandrov. The construction of the European Energy Union is a priority for Bulgaria and we rely on Italy’s support for the realization of interconnectors with Greece.
The situation in the region and the European integration of the Western Balkans were also among the topics of the talks. Both sides welcomed the progress of Montenegro and shared their common concern of the internal political situation in the Republic of Macedonia. Deputy Minister Alexandrov emphasized the need to improve the state of good neighborly relations.
Undersecretary Della Vedova reaffirmed Italy’s consistent support for Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen Area. Italy has always had a clear position and it will continue to be that way, he said.
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