Mariya Gabriel: Renewing the 2008 Strategic Partnership Agreement between Bulgaria and France with a new Roadmap
13 October 2023 News
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Gabriel held talks in Sofia with the Secretary of State for European Affairs of the French Republic, Laurence Boon. She is in Bulgaria at the invitation of the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and it is her first visit to the country.
"Bulgaria highly values the excellent bilateral relations with France, which is a strategic partner and ally for us. We are actively working, both bilaterally and within our EU and NATO membership, on solutions to common challenges", Maria Gabriel said after the meeting.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed gratitude to France for its continued and strong support for Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area, the OECD and the euro area. "A positive decision on Schengen by the end of the year will have direct benefits not only for the Bulgarian but also for all European citizens. It will contribute to stronger EU external borders, a stronger Europe, with benefits for trade, connectivity, competitiveness and tourism", Gabriel added.
She pointed out that at the meeting the topics of the future of Europe and the EU enlargement policy were also discussed. Gabriel noted the key role of the French side, during its presidency of the Council of the EU, in working out the compromise of July 2022. Gabriel stressed that Bulgaria does not set new conditions, but insists that the components of the reached compromise be implemented.
Among the important areas for strengthening cooperation between Bulgaria and France, the Deputy Prime Minister pointed to research and education.
"We accept the proposal to update the Strategic Partnership Agreement between Bulgaria and France, concluded in 2008, with a new Roadmap. Through it, we will identify key opportunities to strengthen our cooperation in areas related to climate change, strategic autonomy and crisis management," she announced. "The renewal of the agreement gives credit to the good cooperation between Bulgaria and France, but also brings new energy and energy for even better expectations for our future cooperation," added Maria Gabriel
In March 2023. Bulgaria celebrated the 30th anniversary of joining the International Organisation of La Francophonie in 2023. The year 2024 will mark the 145th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and France.
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