Bulgaria expects constitutional guarantees for the protection of the rights of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia (RNM), Rumen Radev said at a meeting with Clement Beaune, France's Minister of State for European Affairs

 

To deal effectively with the crises, Europe needs a strategic vision and the ability to take decisions autonomously and in a timely manner. This is the only way that European Union can sustainably assert itself as an unsurmountable player on the international arena. This is what Head of State Rumen Radev said at a meeting with the visiting French Minister of State for European Affairs, Clement Beaune, at 2 Dondukov Blvd. 

 

Radev believes that during the upcoming French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, France will contribute to taking key decisions to surmount the current challenges facing the Union. 'Europe is confronted by numerous challenges: the migration, energy and health crises and their social and economic aftereffects. I am convinced that, along with tackling these challenges, France will unfold its vision for the future of Europe during its presidency,' Rumen Radev said. 

 

The Head of State expressed his gratitude for the understanding and support that France had given to this country in the EU enlargement process and highlighted Bulgaria's role as a strong driver of the European integration of the Western Balkan countries, but in strict compliance with the Copenhagen Criteria and especially the non-violation of human rights. 'When making a decision to open accession negotiations with the RNM, the leading factor will not be time limits, but tangible results achieved within the bilateral dialogue between Sofia and Skopje,' the President said. In his words, with a common political will, demonstrated on both sides of the border, we could mark substantial progress in achieving the European perspective of the RNM and preventing the introduction of bilateral problems into the European Union. Radev stressed that, first of all, Bulgaria expects constitutional guarantees to protect the rights of Bulgarians in its south-western neighbour.

 

The talks also focussed on conducting a stable and socio-economically fair transition to green energy. Nuclear energy is a key sector for ensuring security and stability in this transition and its recognition as "green energy" will ensure success and irreversibility in reaching the EU's objective, was the common position of the interlocutors. 

 

Rumen Radev also called for getting over the fragmentation of education and science, without which it is impossible to achieve real social and economic cohesion within the EU. Radev called for France's timely support for Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. 

 

'We are at a very important moment, both for our countries and for overcoming the common challenges in the EU, and we need to pool our efforts,' Clément Beaune said, pointing out that, in the coming months, during which the French Republic will preside over the Council of the European Union, a balance will be sought on a number of topics on the EU agenda, as well as active work to rebuild the Union in the wake of the health crisis.