Bulgaria and Croatia reaffirmed their desire to deepen co-operation and cohesion between the two countries
12 October 2021 News
Foreign Minister Svetlan Stoev and Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlić-Radman reaffirmed excellent relations between the two countries and discussed ways to deepen co-operation, including improving connectivity.
"Relations between our two countries date back centuries, and today we confirmed the desire to build a strategic depth of bilateral relations, as well as to continue cooperation on topics of mutual interest," said Minister Stoev, who received Gordan Grlić-Radman on his first official visit in our country. Our Foreign Minister welcomed his Croatian counterpart, who is a great friend of Bulgaria and has known our country since the time he worked as a diplomat at the Croatian Embassy in Sofia in the mid-1990s.
"Croatia and Bulgaria have exceptional bilateral relations. The Bulgarian and Croatian people have historically proved that in this part of Europe, which has been a field for major strategic competitions, the two countries have always had bright and good relations," said Gordan Grlić-Radman.
During the talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the bilateral relations were discussed, as well as the common goals - together we are on the path to membership in Schengen and the Eurozone, as well as to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Bulgaria and Croatia also share common values as close partners in the EU and NATO.
Minister Stoev stressed that future political consultations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs are a necessary step not only with a view to deepening the political dialogue, but also with a view to identifying specific areas for expanding cooperation. Next year, the two countries will mark 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, which opens up additional opportunities for joint initiatives.
"There is an unrealized potential for development in many areas such as security, economy and trade, tourism, culture, education," said Minister Stoev. Efforts should be aimed at improving connectivity, and an important step in this regard is the opening at the end of July 2021 of a direct air connection Sofia - Zagreb. Despite the positive trend of increasing trade in the last two years - from 270 million euros in 2018 to 354 million euros in 2020, it is far below the capabilities of both countries.
Among the topics of discussion were issues on the European agenda, including joining the Schengen area - a goal for both countries. The two ministers confirmed that as the EU's external borders, Bulgaria and Croatia have common commitments and opportunities to protect their interests, and will work together for Schengen accession.
The issue of European integration of the Western Balkan countries was also discussed during the meeting - a topic that was one of the priorities of both the Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2018, and for the Croatian two years later.
"For Bulgaria, the European path of the countries of the Western Balkans is a major foreign policy priority since the accession of our country to the EU in 2007. We also supported a friendly Croatia, which became part of the European family in 2013," said Svetlan Stoev.
Bulgaria remains consistent in its support for the European integration of the countries in the region, including Republic of North Macedonia. Our Foreign Minister stressed that in recent months the Bulgarian government has invested serious efforts to maintain an open and full-fledged dialogue with our neighbours and restore confidence in our relations. At the same time, Bulgaria needs specific actions and guarantees for the lasting and irreversible implementation of the 2017 Treaty, as well as for the observance of the rights of the citizens of Republic of North Macedonia with Bulgarian self-awareness. "The Bulgarian country very carefully monitors the respect of the rights of citizens of Republic Northern Macedonia with Bulgarian self-awareness. This is an issue that is raised not only bilaterally, but also in terms of meeting the Copenhagen criteria at European level," said our first diplomat. The Bulgarian side is proactive, well-intentioned and relies on the good will of Republic of North Macedonia to achieve particular results that will further serve for the relevant decisions.
The Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs confirmed that Croatia is among the strongest advocates of EU enlargement. He stressed the opinion of both sides that joining the EU is possible only if all membership criteria are met.
During the visit at a solemn ceremony in the Contracts Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Culture Prof. Velislav Minekov and Minister Grlić-Radman signed a Program for Cooperation in the Field of Culture, which will contribute to deepening relations.
During the talks, the Croatian Foreign Minister thanked Bulgaria for the "tangible and strong gesture of solidarity" for the assistance provided to deal with the consequences of the devastating earthquakes in Croatia in 2020.
Our Foreign Minister expressed hope that what was achieved during today's first official visit of Grlić-Radman to Bulgaria will be adopted as an action plan by the next regular Bulgarian government.