site.btaPresident Radev Pays Official Visit to Slovenia

121 - POLITICS - BULGARIA - SLOVENIA = PRESIDENT - VISIT

President Radev Pays
Official Visit to
Slovenia


Ljubljana, March 11 (BTA special correspondent Lora Metanova) - Bulgarian President Rumen Radev arrived on an official two-day visit to Slovenia Monday on the invitation of his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor. Radev and wife Dessislava Radeva were welcomed with an official ceremony by President Pahor and his wife Tanja Pecar.

Radev paid a floral tribute at the Monument to the Victims of All Wars.

At a news conference he held jointly with his host, Radev said the two sides agree that the enlargement of the EU and NATO into the Western Balkans is a key factor for achieving stability, security and prosperity in the entire region.

"The EU - Western Balkans Summit in Sofia last year reconfirmed this priority and I have been assured by the President of Slovenia that it will remain valid during the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2021," said Radev.

The two state leaders discussed the challenges to the future of Europe. "Our common stand and policy is for working together to build a strong Europe of security and solidarity," Radev said.

He also said that the two countries exude stability and security, and engage in dialogue and policy of cooperation in the interest of security and peace in the Balkans. "These efforts allow us to form an axis between Slovenia and Bulgaria based on shared values, reconciliation and commitment to the future of the region."

Radev commended Pahor for his vision for reconciliation in Slovenia and will to make it a reality.

He also said that the two countries maintain active dialogue and cooperation at the highest political level, and one result was the official opening of a Slovenian Embassy in Sofia last year.

"Now our common goal is to increase two-way trade," said Radev. He said that the opening of a direct air service between Ljubljana and Sofia has enhanced the bilateral tourist exchange and official statistics shows a dramatic increase of visits in both directions.

President Pahor said that this coming July his country is hosting a conference of the Three Seas Initiative and that Radev has just confirmed his participation and support for the initiative.

The Three Seas Initiative is a political platform at presidential level, launched in 2015 and including the 12 EU Member States located between the Adriatic, the Baltic and the Black Seas. It aims to boost connectivity and facilitate real convergence among the participating countries.

Later on Monday the two Presidents opened in Ljubljana a bilateral business forum. The Bulgarian delegation includes representatives of businesses in the IT sector, tourism, construction, the food industry and others. Participating are over 70 Slovenian companies.

Radev said in his opening remarks that the commercial exchange is over 420 million euro now but there is potential for much more. He called for stepping up business contacts, increasing the exchange of investments and seeking new cooperation opportunities and formats.

He also said that the two countries have similar economic priorities: the automotive industry, production of car components, tourism and IT.

Radev said that his host and himself agree that when the countries in the region talk about connectivity, they should not speak only transport, energy and communications but also seek ways to enhance contacts among young people via science and education.

President Radev is also scheduled to met with Prime Minister Marjan Sarec and Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Jankovic, and attend a reception at the Bulgarian Embassy in Ljubljana on the occasion of the recent National Day of Bulgaria, March 3. LY/LN/
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