02.04.2024
”The European Union is a strong global player that must be even more united, secure and competitive in the new geopolitical context. Bulgaria supports EU concerted actions with international partners to maintain a fair, rules-based and law-abiding global order. Security, defense, and EU enlargement alike are of strategic importance. We must continue to speak in one voice and to uphold European principles and standards and to be more competitive,” said Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov at an informal meeting of leaders in Vilnius on the new EU Strategic Agenda.
The Prime Minister thanked the President of the European Council Charles Michel and his team for their efforts and stressed that a comprehensive plan of the future strategic framework has been drawn up to provide an appropriate foundation for the progress of the EU activity. “We welcome the opportunity to discuss the priorities for a stronger and safer Europe. The proposed draft of a Strategic Agenda 2024-2029 reflects the main guiding principles and provides a solid pivot for discussion,” Acad. Nikolai Denkov emphasized.
The Prime Minister stated firmly that the EU action in the field of security and defense should seek to promote and strengthen cooperation in support of Ukraine and its defense industry. “Our unity and determination to continue supporting Ukraine is really important to install the EU as a security provider. The commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security is an investment in European security,” Acad. Nikolai Denkov said further.
The Prime Minister again appealed that land border controls for Bulgaria and Romania be lifted so that the member countries could take full advantage of the Schengen area’s benefits. Acad. Nikolai Denkov pointed out that in the next few years the European countries’ focus should be on the preparations for the successful implementation of an all-inclusive approach to migration. In his statement, the Prime Minister highlighted as EU priorities, among other, the removal of remaining obstructions to the free provision of services within the single market and the reduction of administrative and regulatory burdens, especially for smaller market players.
Regarding climate neutrality, Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov emphasized the role of nuclear power to achieve the EU objectives.
The Vilnius meeting was attended by Gitanas Nausėda, President of Lithuania; Charles Michel, President of the European Council; Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Sweden; Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands; and Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.
