site.btaRomanian PM Marcel Ciolacu: Our Relations with Bulgaria Are Excellent

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu described the relations with Bulgaria as excellent on Friday after his meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov in Bucharest. They discussed the accession of the two countries to the Schengen area, progress on joint transport projects and cooperation in the energy sector.

"This [the quality of the biliteral relations] is confirmed by the existence of the strategic partnership agreed between the two countries in March this year," Ciolacu pointed out.

The Romanian Prime Minister highlighted the interest shown by both sides in the implementation of the European project, which will ensure the construction of a second road bridge over the Danube between Giurgiu and Ruse.

He also emphasized the better interconnection of natural gas transport corridors and the joint efforts to diversify energy sources along the lines proposed by the European Union to ensure the transition to green energy.

"During today's discussions, we also touched on the expansion of the Schengen area and the completion of the accession process of Romania and Bulgaria as soon as possible," Ciolacu stressed, adding: "We are still committed to strengthening the European instruments to manage migration and protect external borders. Through everything it has done, Romania has demonstrated once again that it is a responsible and reliable partner of the European Union in this area and a security provider for the whole Union."

He also underlined the interest to continue close cooperation to promote stability and security in the Black Sea region.

"Prime Minister Denkov and I discussed the security situation in the Black Sea region, so deeply affected by the war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine," Ciolacu stated.

He described the good cooperation between the public authorities of the two countries at all levels as "essential" for the progress of the common projects that Romania and Bulgaria have and which are of great interest to the citizens of both countries.