21.02.2024
There are three main areas in which France and Bulgaria are increasingly close and which are the core of the European project whose upholder Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov is: European security and defense, nuclear power and promotion of European integration. This was stated by French President Emmanuel Macron at the joint statements event with Bulgaria’s Prime Minister in Paris. Acad. Denkov is in the capital of France at the invitation of President Macron. Prior to the talks, the President of France congratulated the Bulgarian government on its effort for stronger European integration. “I thank you, Prime Minister, for your visit to Paris and I appreciate your courage in the implementation of the reforms and your country’s movement towards Europe: this is important for you and for us, too,” President Macron addressed Acad. Nikolai Denkov. The President of France expressed his support for Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen and the Eurozone. He emphasized, inter alia, the support for Ukraine and the need for the EU to strengthen its own defense capability by itself, in addition to NATO’s capabilities.
“Our meeting reconfirms the strong partnership between France and Bulgaria in vital areas such as security, defense, energy, trade, culture and agriculture. As members of the European Union and NATO we strengthen our close cooperation to guarantee the security not only of our two economies and societies but also of Europe as a whole and of our transatlantic ties,” Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov said for his part. He was firm that the Bulgarian government and the parliamentary majority in Bulgaria would continue to support Ukraine and its people both through national efforts as well as through international forms of cooperation, EU and NATO structures, as long as needed. The Prime Minister recalled that Bulgaria has already fulfilled the goal of 2% of GDP on defense spending and continues to do so, by strengthening its own capabilities and interoperability on NATO’s Eastern Flank. Bulgaria continues to implement national reforms in a number of sectors to increase its competitiveness, energy security, education and innovation – to strengthen its European and transatlantic path, which is now irreversible.
Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov pointed out that Bulgaria is on the track to join the Eurozone by 1 January 2025. Meanwhile, we are doing everything we can to overcome Austria’s last objections to the land Schengen, he said further. Acad. Denkov noted Bulgaria’s accession to the OECD as another major goal of the government. “I would like to note specially our deep gratitude to France for the strong and constant support for our efforts in these areas,” Bulgaria’s Prime Minister said. In his words, with these steps going through, Bulgaria will become an even stronger partner, actively contributing to the EU’s strategic orientations.
Acad. Denkov affirmed that Bulgaria would continue to support the European way of its neighboring partners on the Balkan Peninsula. “At the same time, we insist on the fulfilment of the EU’s clear and objective criteria for integration,” the Prime Minister said further. In addition, the Prime Minister emphasized the green transition, which must be made in a way to benefit European economies and citizens. “Bulgaria is an active and proud member of the Francophone family. It is an extra solid foundation on which to build our bilateral relations. I hope that we will move forward at a faster pace as this benefits our two countries, Europe and our Euro-Atlantic cooperation,” Acad. Nikolai Denkov said in conclusion.
