Presidents of Bulgaria, Germany Discuss Eastern Partnership

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev is in Poland to take part in a meeting of the Presidents from the Arrajolusa group, together with the Presidents of Portugal, Austria, Finland, Poland, Italy, Estonia, and Latvia. Photo by BGNES

The Presidents of Bulgaria and Germany discussed the political crisis in Europe, the Eastern Partnership and the development of Eastern European and Black Sea region countries.

The two heads of state met Tuesday in Krakow, Poland, according to the press office of the Bulgarian President.

Rosen Plevneliev and Joachim Gauck are in Poland to take part in a meeting of the Presidents from the Arrajolusa group, together with the Presidents of Portugal, Austria, Finland, Poland, Italy, Estonia, and Latvia.

The two presidents exchanged views on civil discontent and the political configuration in and outside Parliament in Bulgaria.

Gauck expressed hopes that Bulgaria would stabilize and achieve a lasting solution to the political crisis.

"Germany is a big friend of Bulgaria, it keeps track of what is going on and will continue to work together with the authorities in charge to achieve stabilization and find a lasting solution to the political crisis we are currently experiencing," Plevneliev said before taking part in the first plenary session of the forum in Krakow.

Plevneliev and Gauck took note of the positive development of the EU integration processes of Southeast European countries.

The Bulgarian President pointed out that Serbia expected an EU accession talks start date.

"Albania should deservedly be granted EU candidate status because it fulfills a large part of the requirements placed by the EC, while Montenegro already closed two negotiating chapters" Plevneliev added.

He also underscored the positive EU membership prospects before Macedonia, adding that the country had to ensure compliance with founding principles of the Union such as the principle of good neighborliness.

Plevneliev also drew attention to Bulgaria's "active stance" on the EU partnership countries. He stressed that Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova needed a long-term EU prospect and the proposed EU Association Agreements were of strategic importance for the Union.

"Bulgaria backs each of these countries within the UN too, as an active member of the Group of Friends of Ukraine we had the opportunity to express our firm support. Bulgaria will keep working actively over the next two months until these important decisions are taken. However, it is also up to these countries; we shall see to what extent they will fulfill the requirements and demonstrate their belonging through their actions, so that this long-term prospect exists" Plevneliev stated.

On October 8-9 in Krakow, Plevneliev is to participate in three discussions devoted to the crisis in Europe and the ways to overcome it, the strategic relations between the EU and the USA, and the Eastern Partnership and the prospects for each country receiving its "long-term, guaranteed and dignified place in Europe."

"We hope that consensus will be reached on an EU level too on these topics by end-2013," Plevneliev declared.

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