Bulgaria and Romania share common values and have common interests
22 August 2013 News
“Bulgaria and Romania, as neighbouring countries and at the same time,members of the EU and NATO, share common values and have common interests. This is an excellent prerequisite for deepening, on a pragmatic basis, relations both bilaterally and in the regional and the European context.” This was said by the Bulgarian Foreign Minister of his meeting today with his Romanian counterpart Titus Corlăţean.
Kristian Vigenin emphasised that his visit to Bucharest was his first as Foreign Minister, which gives a clear signal of the priority that Bulgaria attaches to bilateral relations with Romania. Among the main objectives of the visit was to discuss preparations for the forthcoming second joint meeting of the governments of the two countries, to be held in Varna until the end of autumn 2013.
Vigenin and Corlăţean expressed the desire shared by both countries to work to expand co-operation on all issues of the bilateral agenda, as well as important issues at regional and European level. The ministers underlined their willingness to sign specific agreements on the development of sectoral partnerships.
Kristian Vigenin and Titus Corlăţean also commented on the course of implementation of joint infrastructure projects - the new bridges, a priority for Bulgaria, over the Danube at Silistra-Călăraşi and Oryahovo-Beckett, implementation of Danube hydropower complexes at Nikopol-Turnu Magurele and Silistra-Călăraşi, among others.
During the constructive discussions, support was emphasised for the preservation of the identity of the Bulgarian and Romanian communities, that are a bridge between Bulgaria and Romania. Minister Vigenin expressed the expectation that a definitive solution would be found soon to the issue of ensuring Bulgarian-language worship in the Saint Prophet Elijah church in Bucharest.
The foreign ministers exchanged views on regional issues and outlined possible areas of co-operation. They also discussed immediate steps to better co-ordinate and strengthen overall co-operation between Bulgaria and Romania on matters within the EU.