site.btaNational Assembly Chair Confers with Slovak Foreign Minister

National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova and Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar discussed prospects for deepening political dialogue and economic ties between the two countries, the Parliament's press centre reported on Monday.

Kiselova noted that Bulgaria highly values the friendly bilateral relations and constructive cooperation with Slovakia within the EU, NATO and a number of other international organizations. She stressed that Bulgaria and Slovakia's similar positions on issues important for the EU are a good basis for deepening bilateral relations and expressed gratitude for the support for Bulgaria's full Schengen membership. "We hope to continue to enjoy your friendly support in our country's quest for membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)," the Parliament Chair added.

Тhe expansion and deepening of the traditionally good economic ties with Slovakia is a priority for Bulgaria, she said.

In the field of energy, Bulgaria and Slovakia share a common commitment to further develop nuclear energy as a key component for achieving the EU's climate neutrality goals, Kiselova said.

The National Assembly Chair noted that joining the Eurozone is one of the main priorities for Bulgaria and that the benefits of membership need to be promoted among citizens and Slovakia's experience would be useful.

Blanar highlighted that the two countries enjoy excellent friendly relations and efforts should be made to expand cooperation through a more active parliamentary dialogue. He described Bulgaria and Slovakia as very close and sharing similar positions in a number of international organisations and areas. Slovakia supports Bulgaria in its quest for OECD membership, Blanar stressed.

"I believe that Bulgaria will successfully join the euro area," the Slovak Foreign Minister said. He underlined that in Slovakia this transition is very positively assessed and quoted data according to which 86% of Slovak citizens and 90% of business representatives in the country think that joining the European Monetary Union is a step in the right direction. "Slovakia's experience shows that investors' interest in the country increased after joining the eurozone and I believe that this will also be true for Bulgaria," Blanar said.