President Rumen Radev held a meeting with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier within the 13th meeting of the heads of state from the Arraiolos group.

In the dynamic situation in Europe Bulgaria proved to be Germany’s major and reliable partner in the EU. We will support the country’s efforts to guarantee the security of the EU’s external border. This is what German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said at the meeting he held with Bulgarian Head of State Rumen Radev in Malta.

The two Heads of State arrived in Valletta earlier before the beginning of the Arraiolos forum to meet and discuss the state of and the prospects the bilateral relations are facing.

President Rumen Radev voiced gratitude for the good partnership with Berlin in the sphere of security and overcoming the migration crisis. “Bulgaria is aware of the important responsibility it has assumed and strictly fulfills its commitments to protect the borders. However, against the backdrop of the unpredictable situation in the region, more European solidarity is needed. The country’s national budget will not be able to alone ensure European security in case a new large-scale migration wave occurs,” the Bulgarian Head of State said.

The German President showed interest in the setting up of a new body to fight corruption in Bulgaria. Frank-Walter Steinmeier assured Rumen Radev that the German business is strongly interested in making investments in Bulgaria. However, an important condition to that effect is that efficient anti-corruption measures should be taken and a functioning judiciary in the country should be ensured. “The more determined Bulgaria is to fight corruption and the stronger the judiciary is, the stronger the trade relations between our two countries will be,” the German Head of State said.

The two Presidents agreed that unity and decisive measures are needed in the EU to protect the democratic values in the member states and avert external influences on the political and electoral process.  

Frank-Walter Steinmeier accepted the Bulgarian Head of State’s invitation to visit our country next year.