D. MITOV: Allow me to welcome the Foreign Minister of Greece, Nikos Kotzias, my good friend and colleague. Today we had the opportunity to discuss a number of issues in an open and friendly manner, regarding various bilateral and international issues.
This visit is taking place at a very important time. As you know, a few days ago I visited Skopje and Ohrid, and then London. From what I know, Minister Kotzias will also be carrying out visits to the countries of the Western Balkans, including Skopje. As member states of the EU and NATO, Bulgaria and Greece are responsible for the security and stability of the region. That is why we follow a consistent policy of support for the European and Euroatlantic integration of the countries of the Western Balkans. Naturally, this has to take place through compliance with the corresponding criteria, including that of maintaining good neighbourly relations.
On a region level, we very much appreciate our cooperation to date in the context of the SEECP and BSEC. I am certain that this good cooperation will continue during the Bulgarian chairmanship of the SEECP, and as the rotating chairmanship country, we promoted the initiative for preparation of a statement on the inviolability of the borders in Southeast Europe. I thank Greece for supporting this initiative.
Among the other issues we discussed today with Mr. Kotzias, I would like to refer to cooperation in the sectors of economy, energy and migration.
The commercial transactions between the two countries come to over €3 billion. Greece is in one of the top positions in foreign investment in our country and in Bulgaria’s banking sector. In this context, Bulgaria is interested in the finding of a mutually acceptable solution that will lead Greece once again onto the path of growth and progress.
Bulgaria firmly supports all the initiatives aimed at strengthening the energy security of Southeast Europe, as well as of the EU, while the coming initiatives of all the countries in the wider region aimed at confronting common challenges in the energy sector will ensure fast and sustainable results. This is why our country is interested in and is participating in the implementation of the EU’s strategic initiatives for the construction of the necessary infrastructure and for diversification of the EU’s energy suppliers. These include the southern gas corridor and the north-south interconnectors, the initiative for a vertical gas corridor, which we discussed today, access to LNG, as well as to the reverse-flow pipelines in Eastern and Central Europe.
For Bulgaria, the idea of the construction of a vertical gas pipeline holds great potential with regard to the energy security of Southeast Europe and the whole of the EU. We must say that energy diversification and the energy union of the EU start here, from the gas interconnector pipeline between Bulgaria and Greece. This is a main priority for us, and we expect it to remain and be maintained as a main priority within the framework of the EU.
The problems with regard to the intensive migration pressure are common problems for our countries, and they must be resolved in accordance with the principle of solidarity. Responsibility must be shared among all the EU member states.
On 25 May, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey signed an agreement in Sofia on the operation of a trilateral contact center for police and customs cooperation, and the ratification of this agreement by the parliaments of the three countries is of particular importance so that the agreement can be put into practice. We are depending on the support of the Greek Foreign Minister in accelerating this process, which is in our countries’ interest.
I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Greek secular authorities for their assistance in the excellent organization of the pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain that I and the delegation I headed carried out early this past May.
Finally, I want to thank Minister Kotzias once again for the open dialogue. Nikos, I want to assure you that Bulgaria will continue its cooperation with Greece on all the issues of mutual interest. And, as we said, all of the kind words and best wishes must be put into practice. This is also the European way, and we will do everything in our power to that end.
N. KOTZIAS: Thank you very much for the invitation you extended to me and your hospitality in beautiful Sofia.
Wisdom dictates that Greece and Bulgaria can and must and do have an interest in developing – to the benefit of the Balkans – a special relationship that learns from the past and looks with security to the future. To look to the future, all of our thoughts, actions, agreements must be set down in an integrated action plan that will serve as the basis for the next meeting between the two governments.
We need to underscore to all of Europe that Greece and Bulgaria are the best paradigm of friendship and cooperation between two neighbours with a long history. This history has beautiful and difficult moments – it is always interesting. The most interesting thing is that it teaches us to live in peace and security, and I think that the personal friendship developing between us mirrors the friendship of the two peoples.
The Greek people have deep feelings of love and friendship for the people of Bulgaria, and every moment I see deep feelings of friendship on the part of the Bulgarian people.
Our relations were strengthened by the two Summit Councils held in 2010 and 2012, and they will be further strengthened in the coming time.
The Greece-Bulgaria-Romania vertical pipeline, like all the major development infrastructure projects in our countries and in the Balkans, are a stabilizing index in the region. As are the other projects between the two countries that are under discussion: water resources management, mutual support of tourism, trade and investments.
I would also like to welcome Bulgaria’s chairmanship of the SEECP, and I wish you – and I’m certain this will be the case – the best possible success for all of us.
Greece, Bulgaria and Romania have a trilateral cooperation and are countries of the North Atlantic system. The Minister and I feel great responsibility for stability and security, and we will work together on the problems of the whole region.
The region needs to learn some basic rules, such as respect for the rule of law and the culture of compromise, which is an element of European culture. In this context we will work together to the benefit of our peoples and our whole region. We have a responsibility to contribute to peace in the region.
Once again, I thank you for your hospitality, which is an indication of the long friendship between our peoples.
IRINA TSONEVA (Bulgarian Public Television, BNT): Regarding the postponement of the signing of the final investment agreement on the Greece-Bulgaria gas interconnector on 12 June. What do you foresee on this issue?
N. KOTZIAS: You can be sure that it will happen, and I will take care of it personally. It is our government’s decision. It is a project that ensures our energy security, and it is part of the European Union’s new energy strategy.
D. MITOV: I would like to thank Nikos for his categorical response. The diversification of energy in Europe starts from the Bulgaria-Greek interconnector.
ANTELINA RANTEVA (ANA-MNA): Regarding the 26% tax and yesterday’s meeting with the representatives of the Hellenic Business Council. Is there room for reexamining or changing the law?
N. KOTZIAS: This is a question that they put to me here and in Cyprus, in two countries with which we have special, close relations. The law, and article 21 in particular, which refers to the issue in question, was put up for public deliberation. There is a proposal for changing it. During our meeting yesterday, the Hellenic Business Council told me that the changes reflect their needs and forecasts, and I think that, with the public debate that has started in Greece and the thoughts from friends we saw here, the right balance will be struck for leading to the combating of triangular relations of tax evasion, without hurting honest businesspeople.
AGAPI ASPRIDOY (Bulgarian Radio, BNR): Regarding the accession of the countries of the Western Balkans to the EU?
N. KOTZIAS: The country with the most to gain from the accession of the countries of the Western Balkans to the EU is Greece. Because next to the maritime border we have with Italy, on the one side, and the land link with Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, on the other, there will be another European contiguity with Greece.
Mr. Mitov and I agreed to help with our know-how and our political experience on these countries’ European path. Don’t forget that the opening of the European path for the Western Balkans happened during the Greek Presidency in 2003.
D. MITOV: We are grateful for the efforts and support of Greece with regard to our accession to the EU and NATO, and we will always appreciate this. The accession of the Western Balkan countries to the EU has to do with compliance with the rules of good neighbourly relations. We will work together, providing our experience in the direction of the accession of these countries.
DANAIL GLISHEV (NOVA TV): Regarding FYROM’s European perspective and the inviolability of borders?
N. KOTZIAS: We are not disputing anything with anyone. We are asking that everyone respect international law. We respect history, we learn from it. But we are not prisoners of history. But there must be respect for international law. We have made proposals and compromises, but there are those who need to shed their irredentism. We have taken major steps, and we hope that they will respond in kind and become more realistic, pragmatic.
JOURNALIST: [Question on the course of the negotiations.]
N. KOTZIAS: The Foreign Minister does not comment on ongoing negotiations.
D. MITOV: Bulgaria has a huge interest in a successful outcome in Greece’s negotiations on exiting the crisis.
June 18, 2015