Quality institutions are the key to competitiveness and a high quality of life. This was stated by the head of state Rumen Radev during his participation in the forum “The World Ahead 2024”, organized by the publication “The Economist”. The President participates in a panel dedicated to the economy and energy 2023-2024.
In the words of the head of state, it is the institutions that create a difference between the development of the states, because the independence of justice, the freedom of the media, the protection of business and property, the improvement of the business environment, as well as the environment for the development of every citizen depend on them. “This remains the biggest task – to fight so that we have quality institutions,” he added.
Bulgaria is an open economy, part of the European and global economic space, and at a time of economic, political and social changes globally in a very complex security environment, President Radev pointed out.
He noted that the business in Bulgaria succeeds against this background to be flexible and adaptable and to move the economy forward. The head of state highlighted the development of new, increasingly innovative and high-tech enterprises in our country, which provide high added value, and emphasized the growth in corporate social responsibility and dual training, as well as investment in human potential.
In his speech, Rumen Radev highlighted a number of challenges that affect the world: the war in Ukraine, the new crises in the Middle East, the unceasing tension in the Far East. According to him, Bulgaria must look for ways to adapt to these dynamic changes and first of all be aware of the challenges facing the development of the country’s economic potential.
As the most significant, he defined the demographic crisis, severe regional, economic and social imbalances, the lack of connectivity – within the country and with our neighbors, the quality of education and the lack of sufficient labor force, the lag in the implementation of digitization and innovations in the economy and public life, the lack of an energy strategy.
The most important thing is to have clarity in the goals and priorities we set for ourselves, said Rumen Radev and emphasized that membership in Schengen, the Eurozone and the OECD are defined as strategic national goals in the political space, “but anyone who tries to achieve these aims not on the economic, but on the political terrain, will make a mistake”. Rumen Radev pointed out that the way to achieve them is not meetings, foreign tourism, endless negotiations, but sustainable social and economic policies, because they are above all a means to achieve the most important goal – that Bulgarians live safely and better tomorrow. than today.
The head of state predicts that 2024 will be a year of adaptation of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian economy to the great geopolitical dynamics and, above all, utilization of our competitive advantages and opportunities. He pointed out that our country has potential in many areas and asked the question to what extent we manage to utilize it. As an example, he gave our geographical location, the importance of which increases against the background of the war in Ukraine.
Land and air traffic through Bulgaria are growing exponentially, bringing a lot of revenue, authority and influence. Much more can be done, the president urged and highlighted what the caretaker governments have achieved in just 10 months in terms of energy, transport and digital connectivity of our country and the region. According to him, if the momentum from what has been achieved is continued, Bulgaria can be a real factor for the entire region, in terms of economic, transport, energy, digital connectivity and development.
According to the president, the biggest bet for Bulgaria’s success is the creation of conditions for the development of the talent of our young people. Bulgarian pupils and students are in the prize-winning places of all international Olympiads in natural sciences. “The challenge is how to transform this incredible capital that we have into an innovation economy. How can our universities from educational centers become research centers”, he stated and pointed to the Institute for Computer Sciences, Artificial Intelligence and Technologies at SU “St. Kliment Ohridski” (INSAIT) as a good initial example.
Asked what expectations he has for the work of the government, Rumen Radev said that it is important what his priorities are. If the government seeks to solve the challenges facing society and if its main goal is Bulgaria and Bulgarian prosperity, it would be their biggest supporter. If the goal of the rulers is the welfare of a given party and gaining more power within the coalition, this will not be productive.
Regarding his political future after the end of the mandate, Rumen Radev noted that he was brought up with a strong value system and has always been dedicated to the prosperity of the state and will continue to do so.
The President commented in response to a question about the possibilities of achieving a peaceful solution to the war between Russia and Ukraine that the sustainable solution to the military conflict is not on the battlefield, but in diplomacy.
The forum in Sofia was attended by representatives of business and institutions. President Rumen Radev was accompanied by his wife Desislava Radeva.
