site.btaRomanian President Iohannis, Prime Minister Petkov Look at Bilateral Cooperation and Regional Security

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiil Petkov discussed ways to advance bilateral relations, security in the context of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, energy security and coordination of regional and European positions on the eve of a NATO summit in Madrid, said the office of President Iohannis, quoted by Agerpres.

The two officials stressed the common interest to further develop the deep partnership between Romania and Bulgaria, in political, economic and security terms.

Iohannis and Petkov discussed common goals for improving road and river connections along the Danube and taking the necessary measures to ensure the navigability of the river.

In the field of energy, the Romanian president reiterated Romania's support for joint efforts at European level to eliminate the European Union's energy dependence on the Russian Federation as soon as possible, in line with the European Council's agreed approach.

He also stressed the major importance of the rapid operationalization of the Bulgaria-Greece interconnector and praised the recent steps taken in this direction by the neighboring state. 

In connection with developments in Ukraine, ways of coordinating relief and management measures were discussed.

President Iohannis also addressed the issues related to the active and comprehensive support that the Republic of Moldova needs.

The two leaders also discussed the advancement of Romania's and Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area, saying it would help both strengthen the Single Market and strengthen the resilience of the European Union as a whole. They have agreed to continue coordinating to achieve this common goal.