The active economic relations with the Eastern neighbours of the EU
12 July 2011 News
Strengthening economic and trade relations with the eastern neighbours of the EU in the context of the European District Policy, was among the highlights of the conversation with Nickolay Mladenov and the trade commissioner Karel De Gucht. Minister Mladenov and De Gucht , expressed their common desire for faster progress in the negotiations with Ukraine on the establishment of the Free Trading Area, as a step towards concluding the Association Agreement of EU and Ukraine relations, and to start negotiations with Moldova and Georgia.
Among other highlights of the conversation were the new EU competences related to foreign direct investment, as part of the Common commercial policy, after the entry of the Lisbon agreement, the possibility of concluding bilateral agreements on investment between Member States, third countries and also the internal market and security.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister emphasized on the role of the EU in the debate about the future of the Middle East and Africa in a political and economical aspect. "We must focus our efforts at the region in three directions: the first is that of the EU, the second is the European Council with a view to future reforms in the region and the third is NATO, linked to reforming the security sector," said Nickolay Mladenov. From his side, Commissioner De Gucht agreed that the countries of the region "need our help for building a legal system, including legislation on trade," and further integration of these countries can be done through various investment agreements.