site.btaBulgarian, Slovenian Presidents Agree that Sofia, Bucharest Cannot Be Denied Full Schengen Accession Any Longer

"We shared the opinion that the EU must abide by its decisions, standards and rules and that Bulgaria and Romania can no longer stay outside full Schengen accession at a time of energy and economic crisis, at a time of war, when military mobility is a key factor in ensuring peace, security and stability," Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said at a joint news briefing with Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar.

The Slovenian head of State is paying an official visit to Bulgaria at Radev's invitation.

He sees Musar's official visit bears witness t the excellent dialogue between Bulgaria and Slovenia, including at the highest political level. "Today, we had the opportunity to exchange concrete ideas on invigorating our bilateral relations, and we agreed that there is still a great untapped potential, despite their brisk progress," he explained.

"It is encouraging that within a few years we have managed to double trade and economic exchanges between Bulgaria and Slovenia, but this does not reassure us because the potential is much greater. We can pursue cooperation and continue to deepen it in areas such as trade, investment, energy, new technologies, start-ups, agriculture, education, science and culture," Radev said.

"This year Bulgaria will be a guest of honor at the AGRA SLOVENIA 2024 Fair," Radev recalled. According to him, there are serious prospects in the energy sector, where both Slovenia and Bulgaria contribute to greater diversification and security of the region. "Bulgaria and Slovenia were side by side when we fought the battle in the European Commission and the European Council for the recognition of nuclear energy as clean green energy," he said. "Slovenia is a leader in Eastern Europe in terms of circular economy, green economy, higher labour productivity, achieving a higher standard and quality of life," the Bulgarian President added.

"Both Slovenia and Bulgaria stand firmly behind the efforts for accelerated integration of the Western Balkans," Radev said. In his words, "tensions in the Western Balkans are mounting, and there are growing attempts to influence third countries to whip up these tensions. The EU is providing serious assistance and influence so that these tensions do not cross critical borders, but we expect the EU to provide even more assistance and to accelerate the process of the Western Balkans' European integration. The own merits principle should not become hostage to geopolitical considerations," Radev further said.