Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday paid a working visit to Bulgaria and met with the Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and with the newly-elected Prime Minister Kiril Petkov. It was the first visit by a foreign leader to Bulgaria after the formation of a new government under Petkov.
Their talks, according to sources, were held in an excellent climate, indicative of the close relations of partnership between the two countries. Matters of mutual interest with emphasis on energy, transport and border protection were discussed.
Also on the agenda were the completion of the interconnector gas pipeline IGB and of the rail and road links between the two countries.
Both sides reaffimed their support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans, provided they meet accession criteria and expressed their will to cooperate in this direction.
Mitsotakis noted that Greece has always steadfastly supported the policy of EU enlargement in the Western Balkans as one benefiting peace and stability in the region, underlining that he is looking forward to Bulgaria’s contribution for holding the EU intergovernmental conferences with Albania and North Macedonia.
At the same time, Mitsotakis expressed his deep concern over Turkey’s escalating illegal behaviour, with actions that violate international Law.
He also referred to the increasing challenges in the region due to the rise in migration flows and expressed hope that the EU will assume additional measures.
Finally, there was a reference to the holding the 5th High Level Cooperation Council between Greece and Bulgaria in 2022, if the epidemiological conditions allow.
SOURCE: AMNA
