site.btaEurope’s New Chapter: President Radev Calls for Strategic Action on Security, Autonomy, and Unity at Budapest Summit

Speaking at the 5th European Political Community Summit, hosted by Budapest, President Rumen Radev said Europe is entering a new phase of development, where the concept of strategic autonomy, ensuring security, and maintaining global competitiveness must move beyond aspirations and require concrete actions, the President’s Press Secretariat said here on Thursday.

The political dialogue format involves EU Member States and neighbouring partner countries. In the course of the forum, Radev engaged in talks with Austria's Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, France's President Emmanuel Macron, Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani, Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, among others.

Radev said Europe must be capable of ensuring its own security so as to be strong on the global stage. He noted that after the US elections, the transatlantic partnership will increasingly focus on pragmatic solutions, which also raises the question about the regional and global role of a united Europe, the consolidation of its defence science and industry, and the strengthening of cooperation with neighbouring countries.

EU security requires courage from leaders to soberly assess the war in Ukraine and urgently shift strategy from victory at any cost to consistent diplomatic efforts for its cessation - a stance maintained in all formats for political dialogue, the President said. Radev noted that the ongoing military actions in Europe continue to pose a threat to peace and stability not just for the EU but for the entire world, with their secondary effects severely impacting neighbouring countries. Therefore, the international community must take steps towards halting hostilities, resuming negotiations, and seeking a peaceful resolution in accordance with the UN Charter.

Radev said that effectively ensuring the security of the EU's external borders and partnership in combating illegal migration, human trafficking, and terrorism is unattainable while Member States like Bulgaria remain outside the Schengen Area. Bulgaria has long met all the criteria and expects this issue to be resolved as soon as possible, he added.

The President called for an acceleration of the process of social and economic integration among individual countries and regions within Europe with a view to strengthening the EU's resilience in times of crisis.

He noted that the dynamic global processes require the EU to pay increased attention to the enlargement process, and added that the enlargement of a united Europe is a factor in ensuring security and stability in neighbouring regions, particularly the Western Balkans. However, this process must be based on the strict fulfilment of membership criteria, recognition of the own merits of countries aspiring to join the EU, the development of good neighbourly relations, and the fulfilment of all international obligations and decisions of the European Union.