Overcoming the consequences of the Ukraine war and the European perspective of the Western Balkans were discussed today over the phone by President Radev and the UK Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach.

The two agreed that besides the security threats, there were also social and economic consequences of the hostilities, which needed real action to cope with. The President and Sir Stuart discussed ways to overcoming the emerging food crisis in view of the blocked grain exports from Ukraine, the second largest grain producing and exporting country. The UK Special Envoy for the Western Balkans expressed his country's readiness to implement joint projects in the field of energy related to the diversification of regional supplies.

Radev and Sir Stuart underlined that the progress of the Western Balkans in the European integration process was of strategic importance for the security and stability of the region. The Bulgarian head of State said that respect for the rights of the Macedonian Bulgarians was a key prerequisite for the launch of EU accession talks with North Macedonia. Consequently, Bulgaria expects the Bulgarians in that country to be included on an equal footing with other parts of the peoples in the country's Constitution.