site.btaPresident Radev: Achieving Peace in Black Sea Region Crucial for Multilateral Economic Cooperation

Achieving peace in the region is crucial for connectivity and multilateral economic cooperation in the Black Sea, said President Rumen Radev during a Thursday meeting with Asaf Hajiyev, the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC). PABSEC is the parliamentary dimension of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, of which Bulgaria is a founding member.

Radev and Hajiyev highlighted the strategic importance of the Black Sea as a bridge between Europe and Asia for the development of transport and energy connectivity. In this context, the President emphasized Bulgaria’s role as a reliable factor for diversifying energy sources and transportation routes, particularly through the gas interconnector between Greece and Bulgaria. They also discussed the potential for other energy projects in the region that would further enhance connectivity.

Hajiyev praised Bulgaria’s role as an active member of the Assembly and its contributions to achieving common priorities. During the conversation, they also discussed Bulgaria taking over the rotating presidency of PABSEC from July to December 2025. Attending the meeting were Petar Kanev, a member of the Bulgarian Parliament delegation to PABSEC and Deputy Chair of the Assembly for financial matters, as well as Pavlina Lozanova, Secretary of the Committee on Legal Affairs and International Cooperation at PABSEC.