Head of State Rumen Radev: Europe's priority is the restoration of peace through the leading role of diplomacy

Ignazden's first guest at the presidential institution is Viktor Orban and I believe that a much better year awaits us both for the relations between Bulgaria and Hungary, as well as for our peoples and Europe, the president said after his meeting with the Prime Minister of Hungary.

A priority for Europe today is the restoration of peace with the leading role of diplomacy - peace, without which it is unthinkable to talk about security and sustainable socio-economic development of the European Union. This was stated by Head of State Rumen Radev after his meeting with the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban at the presidential institution building. Viktor Orban is visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of the Bulgarian head of state. After the meeting, the two made joint statements to the media.

Achieving sustainable peace in Europe should be the focus of the efforts of European leaders, along with the topics of increasing the competitiveness of the EU and the well-being of European citizens, as well as the effective counteraction to illegal migration and the strengthening of traditional family and Christian values, Rumen Radev pointed out.

The head of state congratulated Viktor Orbán on the successful rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union and expressed his gratitude for his key role in the acceptance of Bulgaria and Romania as full members of the Schengen area. This is a strategic achievement of enormous benefit not only for the two countries, but also for the EU, Rumen Radev said.

Viktor Orbán recalled, for his part, that during President Radev's visit to Hungary in May this year, common priorities were identified before the start of the country's EU presidency, and the main one was precisely the acceptance of Bulgaria into the Schengen area. The Hungarian Prime Minister highlighted the excellent communication with the Bulgarian head of state, who, in his words, is an important factor for the stability of bilateral relations and has provided systematic support for the development of economic ties between the two countries.

The Head of State recalled the sober assessment of the Hungarian Prime Minister of the geopolitical processes and risks facing Europe, as well as his clear vision for the development of the region and the Old Continent. “During the periods in which I represented Bulgaria in the European Council, we established fruitful cooperation with the Hungarian Prime Minister on a number of important topics for the European Union and our countries – from energy and migration to the war in Ukraine,” the President added.

Rumen Radev highlighted the historical and cultural ties between Bulgaria and Hungary, which today continue to develop their relations on the basis of mutual trust and friendship. “With Viktor Orbán, we are united in our determination for our two countries to continue to develop and strengthen fruitful cooperation in the interests of the two peoples, the region and Europe,” the head of state emphasized.

As promising areas for the development of bilateral cooperation, the president highlighted investments, finance, industrial production, information technologies, security and tourism. Rumen Radev also emphasized that Bulgaria will continue to be a reliable partner in the field of energy and will work for the diversification and security of supplies of energy resources for our partners and allies in Central and Eastern Europe. “Bulgaria has always been a key country for our security,” emphasized Viktor Orbán and added that this year alone, seven out of a total of nine billion cubic meters of gas intended for the Hungarian economy have passed through our country.

“In the coming weeks, we are about to sign important memoranda to expand cooperation in the fields of transport and connectivity, the use of the ports of Varna and Burgas, the defense industry and security, as well as in the field of tourism,” President Radev also stated. The head of state also noted the geostrategic position of the two countries and called for an even more active partnership between businesses from both sides for a subsequent increase in economic exchange.

The president expressed gratitude to Hungary and its consistent support for the Bulgarian community in the country, recalling that this year he visited Budapest on the occasion of the opening of the new Bulgarian cultural and educational center.