The challenges Europe is facing require mechanisms for timely decision-making and response and a closer integration in the defense and security sphere. This is what President Rumen Radev said at a meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany Heiko Maas today. The Head of State identified migration and the protection of the external EU borders, as well as the crises in neighboring regions, as factors for security which require a united and strong Europe.

“For Bulgaria, Germany is a strategic partner in the EU and a very close partner in NATO,” Rumen Radev said and added that our country relies on German support for the modernization of the Bulgarian army and for the full integration of the Bulgarian defense industry and science within the common European projects, including those financed by the European Defense Fund. “The Bulgarian defense industry is a preferred supplier in a lot of countries and Germany may take part in its technological transformation,” the President further said.

The two shared the opinion that the sustainable growth trend in the bilateral trade between Bulgaria and Germany, which already exceeds 8 billion euros, creates conditions for a follow-up expansion of investment cooperation. “It is essential for Bulgaria that German investments are made not only in the sphere of financial institutions and instruments, but above all in real economy and production,” the Head of State emphasized. Rumen Radev and Heiko Maas highlighted the importance of introducing dual education in Bulgaria, which promotes professional qualification and career development and is a real factor for reducing youth unemployment.

Bulgaria and Germany share the common position that Europe needs energy diversification, it further emerged at the meeting. “The more sources, routes and suppliers of energy resources we have, the higher the security of supplies, and the more competitive energy prices will be,” Rumen Radev further said at his meeting with Minister Heiko Maas.