site.btaPresident Radev: Bulgaria and Greece Are Example that Balkans Can Have Peace, Goodneighbourliness, Fruitful Cooperation

October 14 (BTA Special Correspondent Lora Metanova) - Meeting with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou here on 
Wednesday, Bulgarian head of State Rumen Radev said that their 
two countries are not only an axis of stability, but also an 
example and source of hope that the Balkans can have peace, 
goodneighbourliness and fruitful cooperation. Radev arrived on a
  visit to Greece on Wednesday.
  
He also said that Bulgaria and Greece have proven that two 
countries and two peoples can not only successfully overcome the
  legacy of the past, but also develop a strategic partnership 
based on shared common European values. Today's challenges to 
both Greece and Bulgaria should be seen as challenges to the 
whole EU, he noted, adding that solidarity is the European 
Union's essence.
   
Radev acquainted his Greek counterpart with the development of 
the Three Seas Initiative, which is aimed at improving the 
transport, energy and digital connectivity between the countries
  in Eastern Europe.

Sakellaropoulou said that the long-standing relations between 
Greece and Bulgaria are based on the two countries' common 
vision for stability and peace in the region. In her words, in 
the last months the two peoples had to overcome the insecurity 
created by the COVID-19 pandemic. "The pandemic is not the only
 challenge we have to overcome," she added.

Commenting on the tension between Athens and Ankara in the 
Eastern Mediterranean, Sakellaropoulou said that the only path 
for Turkey is that of international law and observing it. The EU
 should achieve that not only so as to defend the sovereign
rights of the Member States, but also to ensure the region's
security and stability, she said.
   
During his visit to Athens, President Radev also met with Greek
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. During their tete-a-tete
talks that lasted nearly one hour, they discussed the prospects
for developing the bilateral strategic partnership and promoting
 mutual investments and cooperation in security.

Radev and Mitsotakis shared the position that the fight against
illegal migration, counter-terrorism and overcoming the
challenges to security in the region require a common European
approach based on solidarity and shared values.
  
They underscored that the energy, transport and digital
connectivity in Southeast Europe is important not only for the
region but also for the entire EU. They discussed the necessary
conditions and reforms for modernisation and attraction of
strategic investors.
 
Radev and Mitsotakis also discussed the EU enlargement process
and the Western Balkans' European perspective.

RY/DS

/МЙ/