site.btaBulgarian, Romanian Foreign Ministers Discuss Schengen Membership, Cross-Border Cooperation Projects

Foreign Ministers Georg Georgiev of Bulgaria and Emil Hurezeanu of Romania held talks within the framework of the Munich Security Conference, the Foreign Ministry in Sofia said on Friday. Georgiev said that Bulgaria highly values the excellent relations of good neighbourliness, friendship and partnership with Romania, through which both countries successfully achieved full accession to the Schengen Area.

Georgiev assured his Romanian counterpart that Bulgaria attaches great importance to joint projects in cross-border cooperation. "We expect our joint efforts to continue successfully achieving our goals in the interest of both countries," he said. Bulgaria's chief diplomat also stressed that Romania is one of Bulgaria's leading trading and economic partners, and Sofia sets great store by expanding and deepening its traditionally strong economic relations with Bucharest.

The two officials discussed the consistent support their countries provide to Ukraine in its efforts to preserve its independence and territorial integrity, as well as its legitimate right to self-defence. Also on the agenda was their support for the stability, resilience and European integration of Moldova, as well as the development of relations based on European values and principles, which is of great importance for the Bulgarian historical community in Moldova.

Georgiev and Hurezeanu reaffirmed their shared interest in continuing active cooperation within NATO and the EU so as to enhance the focus on security in the Black Sea region.

On the first day of his participation in the Munich Security Conference, Georg Georgiev also met with British Conservative MP Priti Patel. During the conversation, she confirmed that one of the priorities of the main British opposition party, for which Patel serves as the shadow foreign secretary, is to maintain strong ties between the UK and its traditional allies, as well as to further develop the existing partnership with Bulgaria. The two countries signed a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership in London in October 2023.