BTA: President Iotova to EU Ambassadors: No Change in Bulgaria's Foreign Policy Orientation

There will be no change in the foreign policy orientation of Bulgaria, which made its choice long ago, and it is the European Union, said the country's President Iliana Iotova at a meeting with EU ambassadors on Tuesday. The meeting was held in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council, which expires on June 30, the presidential press service reported.

The future and the challenges facing the EU – from the question of enlargement to economic development and stability – were discussed during the meeting, which lasted more than two hours. The European ambassadors raised questions from Bulgaria's domestic political agenda, stating their expectations for political stability.

Iotova said the EU can achieve strategic autonomy and regain its leadership role by speaking with a strong voice. With regard to global conflicts, Europe must have a consolidated position which it is ready to defend, the President said. According to Iotova, the Cyprus EU Presidency, whose motto is "An Autonomous Union. Open to the World", has suggested the outlines of the EU's strategic autonomy.

The President noted that, in the context of a changed international order, the EU must strengthen its defence capabilities and build a common and comprehensive security and defence policy. She advocated reinforcing the European defence and security pillar within NATO. Iotova also highlighted the Bulgarian defence projects under the SAFE instrument.

"Europe is lagging behind in building the Energy Union and continues to be dependent on energy supplies. The network for [energy] diversification is not sufficiently developed," she said. She listed energy projects on which Bulgaria is working, including the Vertical Gas Corridor, which will guarantee energy security and diversification of natural gas supplies for the countries of Southeast, East and Central Europe, and two projects for the transmission of green energy from Azerbaijan.

The President was adamant that the EU must focus on strengthening its industrial production, well-coordinated among the member states, as the way out of crises hitting one after another.

Iotova also pointed to Europe's lag in the development of high technologies and artificial intelligence. She noted that Bulgaria has great potential in this direction and is one of six countries selected by the European Commission for the construction of a giga-factory for artificial intelligence.

Another topic of discussion between the President and the EU diplomats was the bloc's Multiannual Financial Framework. Iotova highlighted the new philosophy of financing, which for the moment faces resistance among the member states. She expressed reservations about merging the Common Agricultural Policy with Cohesion Policy. Iotova noted that the multiannual EU budget must ensure both financial stability and the preservation of policies aimed at equalizing living standards across the member states. The President said that Bulgaria is preparing its positions on the budget framework.

On the question of whether the EU is moving towards more federalization or greater national sovereignty, Iotova stressed that the member states must have strong national positions, on the basis of which consensus should be reached when taking joint decisions. She reiterated her stance against dividing countries into different groups within the EU.

The meeting also discussed EU enlargement. President Iotova underlined that every country must meet all the criteria for membership before being admitted to the EU. Concerning North Macedonia, she stressed that Skopje must fulfil the 2022 pan-European position on its accession to the EU. A key criterion in EU policy is the protection of human rights, she said.