site.btaEuropean Energy Union Among EU's Most Important Priorities - Bulgarian, Polish Presidents

120 POLITICS - BULGARIA - POLAND - PRESIDENTS

European Energy Union Among EU's
Most Important Priorities -
Bulgarian, Polish Presidents


Warsaw, November 18 (BTA) - The European Energy Union will
increase both the Member States' security and competitiveness,
Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and his Polish counterpart
Bronislaw Komorowski agreed at a Monday meeting here.

Plevneliev is on an official visit to Poland at Komorowski's
invitation, Plevneliev's Press Secretariat said on Tuesday.

The diversification and connectivity of natural gas transmission
systems, through the construction of interconnectors, is of key
significance for overcoming the dependency on one supplier and
guaranteeing energy security, Plevneliev said. He noted that
Bulgaria will continue to work for the establishment of an
integrated regional market for electricity and gas in
Southeastern Europe and for connecting it with the Visegrad
Group countries.

President Komorowski thanked Plevneliev for Bulgaria's position
in support of the EU's efforts to find a peaceful and lasting
solution to the crisis in Ukraine. The two presidents'
categorical position is that the EU policy of sanctions against
Russia reflects Europe's understanding that observing the norms
of international law and the rule of law cannot have an
alternative.

According to Plevneliev and Komorowski, the special relations
between Bulgaria and Poland must be upgraded to strategic
partnership. "Our countries share common positions and have
excellent cooperation on the bilateral and regional level, as
well as within the EU, NATO and the UN," Plevneliev said.

The two presidents noted the excellent bilateral cooperation in
defence and security. Bulgaria and Poland are working on
implementing the decisions of the NATO Wales Summit. The 2nd
Mechanized Brigade will be connected with the Multinational
Corps Northeast in Szczecin within NATO's Readiness Action Plan.
The head of State also noted the opportunities for closer
cooperation between Bulgaria's Novo Selo Training Area and
Poland's Joint Force Training Centre facility in Bydgoszcz.

The EU enlargement process and Eastern Partnership are the
engine of reforms in the neighbouring countries, Plevneliev and
Komorowski stressed at the meeting. They concurred that
goodneighbourly relations are a prerequisite for successful
integration into the EU.

In recent years trade between Bulgaria and Poland has increased
steadily, and topped 1.1 billion dollars in 2013, up 23 per
cent. A Bulgarian-Polish Chamber of Commerce was established in
2013 to deepen contacts between small and medium-sized
enterprises.

Plevneliev said that Bulgaria's growing reputation as a regional
supplier of components for the car industry and mechanical
engineering, and the increased output of electrical engineering
and high-tech industry create a favourable environment for
larger Polish investments. "In recent years many Polish
companies gained experience and potential to implement
investment projects, and Bulgaria is a preferred partner," said
Komorowski.

Bulgaria still is a preferred destination for Polish tourists.
In 2013, more than 230,000 Poles visited this country.

The two presidents expressed support for deeper cooperation in
education, science and culture. After their meeting, the two
countries' Academies of Sciences will sign a protocol on
scientific exchange. Active institutional support is provided
for Polish studies in Bulgaria and Bulgarian studies in Poland.
The Bulgarian language and culture are studied at seven Polish
universities, and the Polish language is studied at five
Bulgarian universities.

Plevneliev conferred the Order of the Balkan Range with Ribbon
on his Polish counterpart. Komorowski conferred the Order of the
White Eagle on Plevneliev for his exceptional services to the
development of relations with Poland.

The Bulgarian President is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister
Ewa Kopacz, the Marshal of the Senate Bogdan Borusewicz, and
the Marshal of the Sejm Radoslaw Sikorski.

Plevneliev visited the Stock Exchange in Warsaw and briefed
Polish business representatives on the opportunities for
economic cooperation, investments and tourism in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian Embassy will host Plevneliev's meeting with
members of the Bulgarian community and an exhibition of
Bulgarian paintings. LI/MY,DD