President Radev: Bulgaria’s Relations with France Are of Strategic Importance

At the press conference after his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on 25^th of August, Bulgarian President Roumen Radev said he had supported the directive on the so-called social dumping, but added that this matter is within the competence of the Bulgarian government.

Radev stressed that Bulgaria opposes evasion of social security contributions and circumventing of rules, and therefore there should be increased cooperation between social services and stricter control.

The European perspective of the Western Balkans was also discussed during the meeting. The Bulgarian President noted that unless the Western Balkans does get a European perspective, Europe will sooner or later face a Balkan perspective. According to Radev, relations between Bulgaria and France are strategic in nature and are becoming more and more important in the context of our EU membership.

Roumen Radev called for more complete and coherent social policies, outlining several other issues - tax and corporate dumping, as well as unequal pay for equal quality and quantity of labour.

I share the need for legislative changes that preserve the rights of workers, improve working conditions to lead to a higher standard of living. The issue of social rights is not limited to the posted workers directive. There are other issues - tax, corporate dumping, as well as a few times lower pay for workers from new member states by branches of companies, banks and retail chains than their colleagues from the old member states pay for the same quantity and quality of work. Therefore, we need a comprehensive approach to these complex issues that leads to sustainable and lasting solutions. They can be achieved by coherent and sustainable social policies leading to real convergence of pay, working conditions and living standards between member states.

Roumen Radev saw qualitative growth in the relations between the two countries during the visit of the President of France Emmanuel Macron.

Today's meeting demonstrates clearly that Bulgaria is extremely responsible to its relations with France, and I also hope to fulfill these relations with specific content in all areas of mutual interest, Radev noted.

President Radev expressed his satisfaction with the good economic relations between France and Bulgaria, as well as with the military cooperation.

Radev voiced confidence that France will support Bulgaria's membership in Schengen and the Eurozone.

Roumen Radev noted that the security of Europe and the European citizens is becoming a key factor for the future of Europe and needs a united response.

More intensive cooperation and deepening of intergration in the area of defence is needed. That is why the French initiatives for inclusive, permanently structured cooperation are important and I think their realization means membership criteria that allow countries like Bulgaria to achieve their ambition to maximally integrate into European defence initiatives. We also discussed the importance of developing a strong European defence industry, Radev said.

According to the Bulgarian President, a critical element of European security is the containment of migration and the improvement of border security.

Radev expressed confidence that Bulgaria will receive assistance from France for the preparation and holding of the Bulgarian Rresidency of the Council of the EU next year.

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