Rumen Radev: The countries of South-Eastern Europe should encourage dialogue among themselves about the common challenges and perspectives facing our region

Regardless of whether the countries of South Eastern Europe are member states of the European Union or have declared their ambition to join the United Europe, ensuring the stability, security and prosperity of the region are common goals for all of us. This was stated by President Rumen Radev, who participated at the invitation of his colleague President Yakov Milatovich in the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the countries participating in the Cooperation Process in South-Eastern Europe (SEECP). The summit in Podgorica marks the end of the rotating Montenegrin presidency of the format. Bulgaria is the initiator of the creation of SEECP, the beginning of which was established in 1996 in Sofia.

In his speech at the forum, President Radev emphasized that the stable development of the European Union also depends on the stability and security of the Balkans. Therefore, the countries of the region also need more tools to support regional cooperation. As the most effective tool in this direction, the head of state singled out the EU enlargement process, which has a huge contribution to the consolidation of democratic principles, the rule of law, respect for human rights, connectivity, the creation of a new investment climate throughout the region and economic prospects. "Whether we will be able to take advantage of these opportunities as a region depends only on us," emphasized Rumen Radev.

The head of state reminded that the energy crisis as a result of Russia's war against Ukraine has severely affected South-Eastern Europe and has made it necessary to unite the efforts and resources of individual countries. What Bulgaria has achieved since the beginning of the crisis - the commissioned interconnector with Greece and the expected completion of the interconnector with Serbia by the end of this year, access to the liquefied gas terminals and gas transmission networks of Greece and Turkey, as well as the "Solidarity ring" initiative for increased transfer of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, is a real step towards energy diversification not only for our country, but for the entire region. The President also noted the contribution of our country to overcoming the energy crisis in the neighboring RSM through the export of electricity, as well as to the development of a financial mechanism by the European Commission to support the countries of the Western Balkans.

"That's why connectivity is the key to the stability and economic prosperity of South-Eastern Europe", emphasized Rumen Radev. The head of state also pointed out that connectivity is also an opportunity for free communication, for understanding the cultural code of the peoples of the Balkans, for their mutual acceptance. In connection with this, the president also called for the accelerated construction of the transport corridors that connect the individual countries in South-Eastern Europe and which have long been waiting for their realization, such as transport corridor No. 8.

The great importance of the expansion of the regional digital infrastructure, which carries the "goods of the future" - information, was also indicated by the president. Rumen Radev emphasized that it is high time for the countries of the region, which have a strategic location and connect Europe and Asia, to make maximum use of the benefits, including in the field of information.

In his speech at the summit, the head of state also expressed the readiness of our country to host the regional initiative in 2025-2026, so that in Sofia the 30th anniversary of the format for political dialogue and cooperation, created on the initiative of To Bulgaria.