President Radev after meeting with Portuguese counterpart: Relations between the two countries are an example of mutual understanding and cooperation

It is important that two countries, which are brotherly in Europe and are together in NATO and the UN, want to reaffirm their positions. From the edge of Eastern Europe and from the edge of Western Europe, despite the geographical distance - we are together, Portugal's President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. said after meeting Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev in Porto on April 12.

Bulgaria’s President arrives in Portugal for three-day official visit

"We talked more about international issues than bilateral relations. Because bilateral relations are getting stronger culturally, politically, diplomatically and in terms of security," de Souza added.

"We are worried about safety in Europe and the world, we are worried about the situation in Ukraine, the political, diplomatic situation. We are worried about the humanitarian and social situation in Ukraine, which affects so many European countries. The search for ways to peace is a priority," said Rebelo de Souza.

He congratulated President Radev on the adoption of the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

He said the two had addressed European issues.

"Portugal reaffirms its position on the Western Balkans, which is - not to forget the Western Balkans. Portugal sees and appreciates Bulgaria's efforts regarding the accession of the Republic of North Macedonia. We are not against the accession of the RNM, but we should look for ways to dialogue, understanding between the two countries, to seek a solution to these problems," the Portuguese President said.

"The history of relations between Bulgaria and Portugal is an example of mutual understanding and cooperation. We are bound by a sincere friendship based on common values and common understandings about the future of Europe, the desire to live in peace and understanding," President Rumen Radev said.

He said that we value the achievements made in bilateral relations with Portugal and added that at a time of testing, it is of great importance that the two countries, which are the most distant geographically, show that they can work together, reaffirm their vision and goals for a common EU. If we can do that from both sides of the EU, it is stronger and more united, Radev said.

He thanked for the support for Bulgaria's accession to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and the Schengen area. He also thanked Portugal for its readiness to participate in supporting NATO's Eastern flank with a military contingent.

The President also said that there is a significant increase in trade between the tweo countries of 47%, which is worth 250 million euros.

Answering a question, Radev urged that an international investigation should be organised as soon as possible so that those responsible for the barbaric acts in Ukraine could be punished.

The President also said that NATO's intervention in Ukraine poses the huge risk of a third world war.

"The key point is that this war must not escalate into a nuclear conflict. We must seek every possible way to stop these criminal acts without risking a global conflict with irreparable consequences," he said.

Asked about the European integration of the Western Balkans, Radev said that Bulgaria unconditionally support the start of negotiations towards the EU for Albania.

He thanked Portugal for having developed the 1 plus 5 package during the presidency of the Council of the EU, which is now 1 plus 4, but the RNM has not met the requirements of this package.

On the first day of his visit, the Bulgarian Head of State also met with the mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira.

On Wednesday, 13 April, President Rumen Radev and the delegation he leads will travel to the capital Lisbon, where Radev will hold talks with Prime Minister António Costa and Parliament Speaker Augusto Santos Silva.

During his visit, Rumen Radev will also meet with representatives of the Bulgarian community in the country. Visits to the European Maritime Safety Agency, based in Lisbon, as well as to the Military Academy in the city are also included in the Head of State's programme.

images by Vera Alexandrova

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