site.btaCroatian President Grabar-Kitarovic Pays Official Visit to Bulgaria

Croatian President  Grabar-Kitarovic Pays Official Visit to Bulgaria

Sofia, March 31 (BTA) - The development of bilateral relations, regional cooperation, energy security and migration were among the topics discussed here on Thursday between Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Croatia's President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who is on an official visit to Bulgaria, Cabinet's Press Service reported.

The two also discussed security issues and the Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries from the Western Balkans.

Borissov and the Croatian President agreed that migration causes common problems and a lasting solution can be found only through joint efforts of all countries that are affected or exposed to risk. The effective control along the EU external borders is of primary importance for managing migration in the short and medium run, said Borissov, adding that support must be provided to all countries that are forced to take on bigger responsibilities because of their geographic location. Bulgaria is protecting its borders and those of the EU well, it has established an order for registering all incoming persons and is acting humanely towards all asylum seekers, the Prime Minister noted. He told Grabar-Kitarovic about the humanitarian actions aimed at refugees in neighbouring countries, which the Government has organized in the past month.

Speaking at the opening of a Bulgaria-Croatia business forum, President Rosen Plevneleiv said: "We want more Croatian companies doing business in Bulgaria, more Croatian investors discovering Bulgaria. We also want many more Bulgarian companies to be active in Croatia."

Plevneliev noted that Bulgaria is proud of its industrial culture, low taxes and the fast and priority development of certain economic sectors. He outlined the good EU funds
absorption in this country, the improving infrastructure, the new jobs created in various sectors, adding that Bulgaria will carry out responsible reforms in different sectors, such as justice and healthcare.

Croatia's President Grabar-Kitarovic said during the forum that the bilateral economic relations are modest and the two countries are capable of much more. The guest noted that she is positively surprised by the ever stronger economic growth in Bulgaria, by what she is seeing in Sofia and the city's development as an average European city and a strong centre.

The Croatian President also noted the need for diversifying energy sources and constructing gas interconnectors.

Delivering a lecture on European solidarity at Sofia University, the Croatian President noted that the problems of terrorism and extremism must be addressed where they arise - outside the EU's borders, so that the Union can be saved from within.

According to her, the Schengen border free area must be protected and strengthened, and not weakened or repealed. The EU would suffer economic losses of 1.4 trillion euro over the next decade if Schengen is repealed, the guest said, referring to a study.

There is no prosperity without security, said the Croatian President, adding that this is why she strongly believes European solidarity is needed. Solidarity must not be shown only after something happens, when condolences are expressed mutually and when all stand united because a terrorist attack was carried out in one of the European countries, she said, adding that solidarity must be shown constantly.

According to her, terrorism is a global phenomenon which occurs daily, but it seems that solidarity and concern are shown only when it happens in Europe. More decisiveness is needed earlier in foreign policy, so that these attacks can be prevented and the problem can be tackled at its roots.

President Grabar-Kitarovic noted that the refugees and migrants are not terrorists, while Islam is a religion of peace. She said, however, that terrorists have used the migration flow and routes, noting the importance of information exchange between countries.