–
–
President Rumen Radev met with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried. Photos press office of the head of state
–
Russia’s war against Ukraine is radically changing the security environment not only in the region but also in Europe. This requires rethinking and real action within the EU and NATO to change approaches to security and peace. This was stated by President Rumen Radev at a meeting of Dondukov 2 with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried, who is visiting Bulgaria, the press office of our head of state announced.
The meeting focused on the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States, issues of stability and security in the context of the war in Ukraine, as well as the policy of EU enlargement.
During the meeting, the head of state called for timely support from our allies to prevent the loss of defense capabilities of the Bulgarian Air Force until the receipt of the ordered and paid by our country eight F-16 aircraft. “Guaranteeing our air sovereignty is extremely important not only for Bulgaria, but also for our partners,” the head of state said. The President also stressed the need to integrate the main projects for modernization of the Bulgarian Army through common control and logistics systems.
It was discussed that progress in the process of European integration in the Western Balkans is a strategic goal in support of Europe’s security and stability. “Bulgaria is most interested in speeding up negotiations on EU membership of the Republic of Northern Macedonia, but we expect clear and unequivocally legally binding mechanisms and real steps to eradicate hate speech and systematic examples of discrimination against citizens with Bulgarian identity.” , said the head of state. He added that the fulfillment of the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership, the achievement of sustainable and irreversible solutions for the development of bilateral relations, as well as the inclusion of Macedonian Bulgarians in the country’s constitution on an equal footing with other parts are key to accelerating the PCM’s European path. by nations to guarantee their rights. “A broad consensus has been formed in Bulgarian society on this topic, confirmed by parliament, and any retreat threatens stability in the EU member state itself,” said President Rumen Radev.
–
