Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš is on an official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of Prime Minister Rumen Radev. The two discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral partnership, as well as current issues on the European and international agenda.
Following their meeting, both leaders emphasized that they share common views on many issues.
Following their meeting, the two leaders stressed that they share common views on many issues.
“We regard the Czech Republic as a close and friendly country. Bulgaria and the Czech Republic are bound by deep historical and cultural ties. Hundreds of Czech scientists, engineers, industrialists, architects, archaeologists, artists and cultural figures came to Bulgaria after our Liberation and helped develop the economy and education, urban planning, and build modern European institutions for their time. This is an important contribution that we never forget,” Prime Minister Radev said.
The two leaders discussed a number of important issues concerning cooperation between Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, as well as matters on the European agenda.
“And I can say with satisfaction that these strong historical and cultural ties are reflected in continuously growing trade, which is approaching €3 billion, as well as growing Czech investment in Bulgaria. There are a number of areas in which we have traditionally strong industrial, economic and trade cooperation, but today we are talking about new technologies, artificial intelligence, cooperation in the IT sector, energy and areas traditionally strong for both countries, such as the defence industry. I can say that Prime Minister Babiš and I share the conviction that energy is the foundation of our economic development. That is why, together with him and at European Union level, we support all efforts – and I can say that Prime Minister Babiš led the fight – to ensure that nuclear energy is included in the taxonomy and in state aid and European funding, and that it finds its place alongside other green renewable energy sources. This is a major success. Not to mention that Prime Minister Babiš is one of the strongest advocates and campaigners for affordable, reliable and stable electricity in Europe. That is why we also share the view that there should be a review of the European emissions trading system and that we should postpone and review ETS2 starting now,” the Bulgarian Prime Minister said.
He stressed that Europe’s industrial security and industrial independence must come first.
“With regard to energy, we looked at possible cooperation on the joint development of our nuclear projects. I would like to welcome the Czech side’s first important steps on projects concerning small modular reactors, and from this point onwards we agreed to establish a joint working group so that we can explore such cooperation in this extremely important area for the future of our energy systems and industries. Bulgaria is also ready to support the Czech Republic and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe in their efforts to diversify and ensure the stability of energy resource supplies. We have free access, under clear agreements, to both Greek terminals and all five Turkish LNG terminals, and at any time, through reserved capacity, we can contribute to helping our partners and friends secure reliable supplies of natural gas. And this is only the beginning. We are already looking ahead to the green energy corridors that are expected to pass through our country from both North Africa and the Caucasus region.”
The Prime Minister thanked Andrej Babiš for the Czech Republic having kept its word and delivered 20 modern trains to Bulgaria on schedule, enabling the country to meet its commitments under the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
"The Škoda Group has a growing presence in Bulgaria, and we outlined prospects for new joint projects in transport, industrial cooperation and high technology, because both countries have a strong energy mix and we need to make use of the industries of the future. Bulgaria has something to offer, as our INSAIT institute is already developing its own artificial intelligence model, and this provides a good basis for cooperation. In the defence industry, we already have companies working together and we are one of Europe’s leaders in the production of ammunition, while more recently we have been working together on the production of drones and anti-drone systems. I would like to thank Prime Minister Babiš for bringing 50 Czech companies to today’s business forum, where 186 Bulgarian companies and 50 Czech companies have gathered, because we are looking ahead. Not only towards trade. Not simply towards trading. Our ambition is to think beyond trade and to think about joint projects. As regards our European policy, I can say that we have very similar and closely aligned views on the European agenda – both on emissions trading and on illegal migration.”
Radev stressed that “religion has no place in this war in Ukraine”.
“We are opposed to religion becoming another element of this escalation. That is why we stood by our position that sanctions should not be imposed on Patriarch Kirill.”
Bulgaria’s reservations regarding sanctions against two other Russian citizens, Vagit Alekperov and Iskander Makhmudov, have also been openly presented to Brussels.
“There is nothing wrong with every country defending its own interests,” Radev stressed.
The Prime Minister said everything happening in the Middle East was having an impact on the economy.
“We are working in two directions. Bulgaria is actively working to increase the capacity to transport energy resources from the Gulf states to Europe by land. Fuel prices in Bulgaria are among the lowest in Europe. But this is by no means reassuring, because living standards in Bulgaria are among the lowest in Europe. The government is already developing clear measures to support public transport, emergency medical services and school transport, as well as Bulgarian citizens who are most vulnerable to these price increases. These measures will be announced very soon – such a package already exists and will be implemented.”
"I am absolutely delighted to be back in Sofia after eight years. Your victory in the election brought me great joy. Eight years ago, you visited me as president, and now you are prime minister, which is great news for us because we have similar views. On all these issues, we share the same opinion. So I am really very happy to be here in Bulgaria. We also have wonderful friendly relations historically, and I remember that in the past, back in 2019, at an informal meeting, Bulgaria was already in Schengen. But these things take a long time. All of this is wonderful; we are allies and we are together in the European Union, where Bulgaria has now also joined the euro area, which we welcome, and there are no longer any problems. What is important, however, is that we really share the same views on nuclear energy, and it is important that, alongside the older member states of the European Union, we have our own concrete solutions as to what should be done,” Andrej Babiš said.
He said he had invited the Bulgarian Prime Minister to the Czech Republic and noted that future contacts between the two countries would be eagerly anticipated.
Rumen Radev welcomed his Czech counterpart with an official ceremony at St Alexander Nevsky Square. The two later held a one-to-one meeting at the Council of Ministers. As part of the visit, Radev and Babiš are also due to open a Bulgarian-Czech business forum in Sofia. Bilateral documents are also expected to be signed in their presence.
Photos: Desislava Kulelieva, BNT
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