Bulgaria’s PM at Aqaba Process: It has never been more important for the whole world to work together to stop the crisis

The world is entering a dangerous and unstable period. Scientists suggest that the virus may stay with us for years. Our call is clear: we must work together," Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said in his speech during the virtual meeting within the Aqaba Process on September 2.

The Aqaba Process was initiated in 2015 by King Abdullah II of Jordan to strengthen international and regional cooperation
against the dangers of terrorism, radicalization and violent extremism.

The forum was attended by heads of state and government from countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Nigeria, Kenya, represented at various levels are also the United States, the Netherlands, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and others.

"Never in the history of mankind has it been more important for the whole world to work together, so that we can deal with the oncoming crisis and prevent the spread of the virus," the Bulgarian Prime Minister stressed.

Borissov recalled that just two days ago, in Slovenia, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, announced a 10% drop in GDP worldwide. "We have not had such problems since the Great Depression - financial, economic and healthcare issues at the same time," he said.

The emphasis in the Prime Minister's speech was the contribution of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU to the European perspective of the Western Balkans. "The support that Bulgaria gives to Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo for EU accession, and some of the countries we first supported for NATO, is also a very good recipe for a common fight against terrorism and extremism," Borissov stressed.

He expressed hope that after each meeting of the Aqaba Process, the countries of the initiative will emerge more united and stronger and the interaction between them will be successfully upgraded.

"Urgent action is needed to build sustainability," he said.

Borissov was adamant that effective multilateral cooperation and solidarity between countries is needed to address the global challenges and consequences of the pandemic, both in the short and long term.