site.btaPresident Radev Addresses EU Countries' Ambassadors at Working Meeting

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Thursday held a working meeting with the heads of diplomatic mission of the EU Member States accredited to Bulgaria. A number of current European and international topics were on the agenda, the President's Press Secretariat said.

"The EU is facing a major challenge: it has to demonstrate that it can effectively handle crises in Europe and along its borders," the head of State told the diplomats.

"In the context of its aspiration to strategic autonomy, the EU should reform itself in such a way as to be able to react and make timely decisions in conditions of crises while persuading Union citizens that it is strong and skilled to tackle problems effectively," Radev pointed out. He argued that the inability to find a quick solution to the energy crisis has led to significantly higher electricity prices and loss of competitiveness on the part of the EU compared to other global factors. "The failure of united Europe to come up with feasible solutions for a cessation of the war in Ukraine and the achievement of just and lasting peace, along with the ensuring considerable economic and social burdens for Member States, is among the causes for social tensions and the burgeoning of populist forces whose actions and programmes undermine the foundations on which the EU itself rests: solidarity, unity, and human rights," the President observed. 

He described Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine as a key factor endangering international peace and security, especially for countries that are located in immediate proximity to the hostilities. Radev stressed further on that, along with providing support to Ukraine within Member States' capabilities, the EU should not ignore the exacerbation and expansion of the scope of military operations, including in the Black Sea area.

The head of State recalled that, in addition to posing risks to security, the war in Europe affects severely the economies and social systems of EU Member States themselves, which, too, are paying its price. Hence, an immediate cessation of hostilities and the achievement of stable and just peace based on internationally established principles by diplomatic means is in the interest of all Europe. In this process, precisely the EU can and must take a leading role because the security deficit erodes the sustainability of economic development, social stability, and European citizens' well being. 

"Enhancing connectivity in Europe is key for achieving energy diversification and setting up new supply lines to strengthen EU Member States' capacity and economic capabilities," Radev said further. He singled out the creation of conditions for lower energy prices as a top priority for keeping united Europe competitive and stable.

The head of State said that EU enlargement is a most effective measure to build security, stability and development of the region. He called on EU Member States to continue to provide the necessary support to the Western Balkan countries so that they could carry out the required reforms and honour the commitments assumed in order to meet the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership.