The current state of relations between Bulgaria and Spain was discussed at political consultations
19 May 2021 News
The current state of bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Spain and issues on the current European agenda were discussed at political consultations at the level of Directors General of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries, which took place on May 19, 2021 by videoconference.
On the Bulgarian side, the consultations were led by Rumen Alexandrov, Director General for European Affairs, and on the Spanish side - by the Director General of the Directorate General for Western, Central and South-Eastern Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Maria Victoria Gonzalez Roman.
The two Directors-General assessed the cooperation between Bulgaria and Spain within the EU and NATO as excellent. The Spanish side confirmed its support for Bulgaria's membership in Schengen, the eurozone and the OECD. Possibilities for expanding bilateral trade, economic, cultural and educational co-operation were discussed.
It was generally agreed that the two countries share similar views on a number of topics on the European agenda, including the reform of the European migration and asylum system. As Member States geographically located at the EU's external borders, Bulgaria and Spain face similar challenges and give priority to striking the right balance between responsibility and solidarity.
The topic of EU enlargement was also discussed during the consultations. Rumen Alexandrov reaffirmed Bulgaria's consistent support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans, based on the principle of its own merits. Regarding the European perspective of the Republic of Northern Macedonia, the Bulgarian national position was confirmed that progress can be achieved only by providing the necessary guarantees within the enlargement process for the implementation of the Agreement between Bulgaria and the Republic of Northern Macedonia of 2017.