Greek President Prokopios Pavlopoulos pointed out in a meeting with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Friday that it is impossible not to respect monuments, such as Hagia Sophia, and believe that your European perspective is open.
Referring to the European perspective of the Balkan countries, the President of the Republic stressed: “We are in favour of the integration of our neighbours in NATO and the EU. We are in favour of the European perspective of our neighbours in the Balkans, but this prospect has certain prerequisites that nobody can ignore.”
In particular, he said: Firstly, to respect the International Law. Secondly, respect to the European acquis. And fully respect the history and the European culture.
He also referred to Greece’s support to Bulgaria’s EU and NATO membership and stressed that Bulgaria has fulfilled all its obligations, meets the criteria and it would be better for the EU to conclude this accession process.
On his part, Radev said that the fact that his first official visit abroad – since the assumption of his presidential duties – is held to Greece reflects the importance of bilateral relations but also the importance of our alliance within the European Union and NATO.
“Bulgaria and Greece are a model of good neighbourly relations based on a common European perspective and common European values,” he said and expressed his gratitude to the support that Greece provided for Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union and NATO.
“Greece’s support to Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen is also of prime importance, as this is the only way to guarantee the effectiveness of our fight against human trafficking and terrorism. And it is time for the rest of the EU member states to understand it,” added Radev.
He also welcomed the fact that Bulgaria and Greece have similar positions on the European agenda. “Issues relating to security, migration policy, energy policy and, in general, the whole prospect for Europe’s future. There is also the data on trade exchange, which amount to 3 billion a year. This is a guarantee for good bilateral relations between our countries,” he added.
“For us”, he continued “transport and energy policies are of the utmost importance. And we hope that gas interconnection between Bulgaria and Greece will be realised in the timetable set because the gas transit pipeline will enable not only Bulgaria but also the countries of central and eastern Europe to achieve diversification of both sources and routes. I also believe that the consolidation of relations and cooperation between Bulgaria and Greece in the field of migration policy, the fight against terrorism and more active cooperation in the field of defence, are a guarantee for the stability of the region and our countries.”
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Source: ANA-MPA
