Restoring peace and security in Europe is a top priority, because this is the only way the European Union could fulfil its core mission of ensuring stability and prosperity for its citizens, President Rumen Radev said after his participation in the 19th meeting of the heads of state of the Arraiolos, Group, the President’s administration reported on Friday. The forum, which took place in Krakow, Poland, on October 10 and 11, had heads of state discuss major EU topics, including the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which starts on January 1, 2025.
During the discussions, Radev pointed out that thousands of lives in Europe depend on the forum participants’ ability to comprehensively and critically analyze the facts in the context of the war in Ukraine and to form goals and strategies that are adequate to the security environment. He called for diplomacy to be utilized to bring about peace in Europe faster.
The forum focused on the need to increase defence spending, as well as the opportunities for deepening transatlantic cooperation in the face of global challenges and threats.
The Bulgarian President said that he welcomed the European Commission’s aspiration to develop sustainable competitiveness based on innovation and R&D. A key aspect in this direction is guaranteeing energy security by improving connectivity and investing in new technologies, which would increase the EU’s autonomy and boost European industry, he said.
Radev emphasized the importance of the EU’s enlargement. He added that the enlargement process must take into account the principle of progress based on own merits, the implementation of necessary reforms and commitments, as well as respect for human rights and the rule of law.
The Arraiolos political dialogue format was established in 2003 and brings together heads of state of parliamentary republics of the European Union to discuss topical issues for Europe. The group was named after the Portuguese town, which first hosted the forum, with six presidents participating at the time.
Bulgaria was invited to join the Arraiolos Group in 2013. The group consists of the heads of state of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Malta.
