site.btaPresident Radev Meets with Romanian Foreign Minister Odobescu

Meeting here on Monday, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminita-Teodora Odobescu agreed that entry in Schengen by land is a common priority of their two countries towards which they should continue to cooperate. Odobescu is visiting Bulgaria at her Bulgarian counterpart Mariya Gabriel's invitation, the head of State's press office said.

Radev and Odobescu agreed that Bulgaria and Romania have met all technical criteria for Schengen entry, therefore specific guarantees and a clear deadline for opening the land borders are needed as soon as possible. The joint and coordinated efforts in this direction should continue to be a priority for the two countries.

The sides discussed cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. They noted that the strategic partnership declaration signed in March 2023 by the two countries' presidents has contributed to the broadening of the bilateral cooperation in many areas. Radev said that improving infrastructure, transport, and energy connectivity between Bulgaria and Romania is of priority importance for handling the challenges in the region.

The sides also discussed Romania and Bulgaria's common responsibility to security in the Black Sea Region and their partnership within NATO.