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Rumen Radev: Improving Connectivity between Bulgaria and Romania Is of Key Importance for the Economic Development of the Region

The President meets with representatives of Bulgarian and Romanian business

Improving connectivity between Bulgaria and Romania is of key importance not only for bilateral cooperation, but also for the economic development of the region. This was stated by President Rumen Radev at the annual meeting with representatives of Bulgarian and Romanian business, sponsored by the Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce. The Ambassador of Bulgaria to Romania, Radko Vlaykov, and the Ambassador of Romania to our country, H. E. Brandusa Ioana Predescu, took part in the event.

The head of state noted the full development of relations between Bulgaria and Romania in political, economic and cultural terms, as well as in the field of security, based on shared values and mutual interest. Rumen Radev recalled the official visit of the Romanian head of state Klaus Iohannis to our country in March 2023. Then the two presidents signed a Declaration on Strategic Partnership between Bulgaria and Romania. With it, we expressed the common will of our two countries to join efforts for greater security and stability of our region and prosperity, said the president and added that in this common goal, Bulgaria and Romania have a strategic role not only in terms of geographical location, but also with its economic potential.

The President also noted that Romania is Bulgaria's second largest trade and economic partner with trade exceeding EUR 8 billion annually. According to him, the basis for mutually beneficial economic growth is stability in the Black Sea region, for which our countries share a common responsibility.

Highlighting the intense economic ties, the head of state pointed out the main challenge for their upgrading: the two countries are not yet Schengen members with their land borders. This brings economic, transport and commercial losses every day. It brings missed opportunities, which are already expressed in billions, and is a brake on investments, Rumen Radev pointed out. According to him, in the conditions of a military crisis nearby and an economic crisis in Europe, it is unacceptable for the two countries to be deprived of full membership in the Schengen area. Rumen Radev also pointed out that Bulgaria and Romania have been going together in the process from the very beginning. We can only succeed if we stay together, because only then can we have the cumulative effect of the efforts of the two countries, the president said.

President Radev identified the limited connectivity across the Danube as the main obstacle to bilateral cooperation. He noted that in the upper and central part of the river, the average distance between two bridges is 30 km, and on the Bulgarian-Romanian border, it is more than 300 km. The head of state added that this does not correspond to the modern realities of security, economic development and investments. As a priority, Rumen Radev singled out the construction of a second bridge over the Danube near Ruse-Giurgiu, but added that it is necessary to think about the construction of other bridges as well. As another important emphasis for connectivity and overcoming the difficulties of cross-border transportation, Rumen Radev pointed to the ferry line Ruse - Giurgiu, which is currently not functioning, as well as the renovation and development of other ferry connections. Rumen Radev also emphasized that the development of economic cooperation with Romania is unthinkable without our country completing the transport connectivity in Northern Bulgaria.

The head of state pointed to the EU's Danube Strategy as an unused tool in Bulgarian-Romanian relations, which provides enormous opportunities in the economy, tourism, investment promotion and people-to-people exchanges. Rumen Radev recalled his meeting with the presidents of Austria and Romania Alexander Van der Bellen and Klaus Iohannis in Ruse in 2018, when the three presidents put a common emphasis on its application.

During the discussion, the head of state also called for more in-depth work on the part of Bulgaria to make it more recognisable as an investment destination for Romanian companies. He also highlighted cooperation in the field of energy, exchange in education and the development of tourism.

Regarding the development of Bulgarian business, the head of state pointed out the paradox in which our country is at the moment - on the one hand, there is a deep political crisis and at the same time there is economic growth. However, in his words, when this political crisis lasts long enough, the lost benefits for business begin. Rumen Radev urged not to allow a situation in which the state would have to help in order to guarantee competitiveness, but would not be able to do so.