Rumen Radev converses with Germany's Special Representative for the Western Balkans

The EU enlargement process should be based on the consolidation of the values of democracy in the countries applying for full membership in order to be sustainable and irreversible. This is what Head of State Rumen Radev said at a meeting today with Manuel Sarrazin, Special Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Western Balkans. The European Union is a transforming force for the Western Balkans and should much more actively assist the applicants in fulfilling the Copenhagen membership criteria, is the Head of State's position.

Radev expressed hope that the Republic of North Macedonia will proceed as soon as possible with the implementation of its agreements with the European Union, like the inclusion of Bulgarians in its constitution, which will open the door for the launch of negotiations for full membership. Such a step would be a positive sign for the European perspective of the entire Western Balkans region, Radev said.

The Head of State expressed Bulgaria's readiness for further development of transport, energy and digital connectivity with North Macedonia as a real factor for promoting economic and investment exchange, tourism and free communication between the people of the two countries. The President also voiced his expectation for the effective engagement of the institutions in our south-western neighbour to change the attitude towards the Bulgarian community in the country, the effective eradication of hate speech against Bulgaria and the real counteraction to hate crimes against the local Bulgarians.