17.02.2022
Prime Minister Kiril Petkov arrived in Brussels to take part in a meeting of the European Council members and in the European Union-African Union (EU-AU) Summit. Before the opening of the forum, Prime Minister Petkov had talks with the Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi and with Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
The Prime Minister briefed the Commissioner about the specific results achieved within just a few days owing to the new dialog between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia. Prime Minister Petkov stressed that it is results and not closing dates that matter and expressed his hope that enhanced sector-to-sector cooperation would help find mutually acceptable solutions to political issues. Further, the Prime Minister said that he would count on the European Commission’s support to make progress in human rights reforms.
Rule of law was another focus of Prime Minister Kiril Petkov’s meeting with Commissioner Várhelyi. The Prime Minister emphasized the cabinet’s consistent policy of zero tolerance for corruption and of fundamental reform of the Judiciary. Kiril Petkov pointed out that Bulgaria’s national Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) likewise addressed these issues.
At his meeting with Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas Prime Minister Kiril Petkov noted the friendly relations between Bulgaria and Estonia and the importance of the partnership between the two countries both bilaterally and within the EU and NATO. The option of bilateral visits was discussed in this context.
Prime Minister Kiril Petkov placed special emphasis on Bulgaria’s interest to strengthen its cooperation with Estonia through joint initiatives and exchange of experience in e-government, digital connectivity, information technology and communications.
