site.btaForeign Minister Mitov: Bulgaria, Romania Together Can Have Strong Voice in Region and EU

Foreign Minister Mitov: Bulgaria, Romania Together Can Have Strong Voice in Region and EU 

Bucharest, February 19 (BTA) - Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel
 Mitov is on a two-day working visit to Bucharest at the
invitation of his Romanian counterpart Bogdan Aurescu, the
Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

At a joint news conference with Aurescu, Mitov said: "Close
cooperation will make Bulgaria and Romania's voice better heard
in the region and the EU. Our common voice will carry more
weight and power when it reflects the partnership and
cooperation of our two nations. I assure you that I will spare
no effort in this direction."

Bulgaria and Romania are good neighbours, partners and allies in
 the EU and NATO, said Mitov. The track they have chosen in the
last two decades - of freedom, democracy, European and
Euro-Atlantic integration - brings the two nations even closer.
That is why the politicians on the two banks of the Danube
should communicate and meet more often, he said.

For his part, Aurescu said that Romania and Bulgaria are engaged
 in open, friendly dialogue as strategic partners. The series of
 bilateral contacts at various levels earlier this year are a
compelling proof of this.

The two chief diplomats discussed a number of aspects of
bilateral relations, the European and international agenda. The
sides also discussed the preparation of the next
intergovernmental meeting this spring, which will be hosted by
Romania.

Mitov said: "In one way or another, everything we discussed
today relates to the same topic - European security." The
subjects for discussion included energy security, investments,
infrastructure projects, regional cooperation, security along
the EU's external borders, Schengen, the Cooperation and
Verification Mechanism, and coping with the increased refugee
and migration pressure.

Mitov stressed that Southeastern Europe is perhaps the most
dependent on natural gas supplies from a single supplier -
Russia. This problem is becoming increasingly obvious due to the
 crisis in Ukraine. The creation of a European Energy Market
which will provide affordable, secure and sustainable energy to
all EU citizens is a task which brooks very little delay. He
said that building interconnectors between Bulgaria and all of
its neighbours, including Romania, is a crucial element of the
architecture of Europe's energy security along the north-south
axis.

Bulgaria sets a priority on implementing the already agreed
projects increasing infrastructure connectivity with Romania,
Mitov said. He singled out improvements in the road
infrastructure linked with the Danube Bridge 2, speeding up the
construction of new bridges and of hydropower complexes on the
Danube.

Cooperation between Bulgaria and Romania in the preparation for
taking over the rotating EU presidency in 2018 and 2019,
respectively, also featured on the agenda of the discussions.
Other topics included the two countries' accession to the
Schengen Area and the two governments' purposeful efforts to
carry through the reforms that would result in lifting of the
Cooperation and Verification Mechanism.

Mitov and Aurescu exchanged opinions on the developments in
Ukraine. Both countries have big minorities in Ukraine and it is
 important for them to see that the rights of these people are
observed. "We want to see a stable reforming Ukraine, which is
possible only if lasting cease-fire and gradual lowering of
tension are achieved," the Bulgarian Foreign Minister noted.

The two chief diplomats were unanimous that the recent events in
 the Black Sea region confirm its strategic importance and
predetermine the need of the establishment of a steadier,
uniting and strategic approach of the European Union towards it.
 In this context, they decided to pool their efforts in order to
 revive the Black Sea Synergy initiative, proposed in 2008 and
work actively for its practical implementation.