site.btaPresident Radev Speaks at Opening of European Public Law Organization in Rome

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou attended the opening of an office of the European Public Law Organization (EPLO) in Rome on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the Bulgarian leader arrived on a two-day official visit to the Vatican and Italy.

"Freedom, democracy, and human rights are the highest achievements of our civilization in which generations have invested efforts and made sacrifices," Radev said at the opening of the EPLO office.

"These rights deserve our sustained efforts because, in today's times of insecurity, growing challenges, and rapid changes, it is precisely our values that we must protect every day. They are our moral compass, which we must follow in trying times," the President commented.

Among other topics, he addressed the policy on illegal immigration in Europe. The President pointed out that, "on the one hand, we must protect our citizens, economies, social systems, and even our culture from the risks of illegal immigration while, on the other hand, we must help every human being in need".

"I want to see Europe green and clean as soon as possible, setting an example of climate neutrality for the rest of the world," said Radev. He noted that, however, the balance between this goal and the economies and social systems is very fragile, and "we must be careful with the speed." "In my former profession, speed is vital: if you lose speed, you will crash, but I cannot say the same of the Green Deal," added the President, who was an Air Force jet pilot before going into politics.