site.btaEUR 7 Bln in Bilateral Trade Says a Lot about Bulgaria's Cooperation with Italy, Presidents Radev and Mattarella Concur

Bulgaria's excellent political dialogue and pragmatic cooperation with Italy can be measured by the level of two-way investments and commodity exchange, which amounted to EUR 7 billion last year. The view was shared by the two countries' presidents Rumen Radev and Sergio Mattarella, who talked in Porto on the sidelines of an Arraiolos Group summit, Radev's Press Secretariat reported on Saturday.

The two presidents concurred about the existence of all necessary conditions and considerable potential for even more vigorous economic cooperation and joint business projects in various domains between Bulgaria and Italy.

Mattarella reiterated Rome's unqualified support for Sofia's accession to the Schengen free movement area, including for the sake of even more intense bilateral tourist exchange and people-to-people contacts. Radev expressed his satisfaction with Italy's commitment to the project for Pan-European Corridor 8, which is of strategic importance for regional connectivity.

He gave high marks for the partnership with Italy in building a medical air service in Bulgaria. The first batch of medical helicopters are to be supplied from Italy in the coming months. "Bulgarian society looks forward to the implementation of the project, which provides opportunities for a subsequent expansion of our partnership in the aviation industry," Radev said.

The two state leaders also discussed defence cooperation, the upgrading of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, the conduct of joint military exercises and the excellent partnership between the Bulgarian and the Italian members of the NATO battlegroup in Bulgaria, for which Italy is the framework nation.

Another highlight of the talks was the shared desire to promote cooperation in culture, education and academic exchange.

Radev invited Mattarella to visit Bulgaria shortly to add further impetus to the two countries' dialogue and partnership. In 2024, Bulgaria and Italy will celebrate 145 years since the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

The Porto meeting involves the presidents of 13 EU member states: Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal and Slovenia. Before the summit, Radev talked with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who reiterated Lisbon's unwavering support for Sofia's Schengen entry.