The Prime Ministers of Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania have come together to sign a joint declaration in Varna, Bulgaria, focusing on the expansion of three-dimensional transportation and digital connectivity.
The agreement, inked by Prime Ministers Nikolai Denkov of Bulgaria, Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece, and Marcel Ciolacu of Romania, underscores the strong relations between their nations and the importance of fostering positive neighborly ties in Southeastern Europe.
“We have reconfirmed the outstanding relations between our countries,” Mitsotakis noted. “We have reached an agreement to intensify our cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels, with a broader regional perspective”.
Regarding energy collaboration among Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania, Mitsotakis emphasized, “Greece plays a pivotal role and aspires to continue playing a central role in the energy interconnection between our countries. Since 2022, we have quadrupled our natural gas exports to our neighbors to the north and supplied fuel to Moldova, ensuring the energy security of all of Southeastern Europe”.
He underscored his ambition to transform Greece into a hub for green energy.
“We are soon to inaugurate a floating storage and regasification unit in Alexandrople,” Mitsotakis announced. “We remain committed to investing in renewable energy sources and aspire to establish Greece as an international hub for the interconnection and distribution of green energy. This initiative begins with our neighbors, Bulgaria and Romania, and necessitates bolstering our electrical interconnections”.
All three leaders acknowledged the pressing need for increased cooperation. They aim to further strengthen and extend their collaboration by establishing strategic connections in transportation, energy, and digital networks along the North-South axis. Their objective is to enhance cohesion and stimulate economic growth not only in their region but throughout all of Europe.
“The growing significance of the multidimensional connections between our three countries, the interregional connections within the EU, as well as our neighboring relations, necessitates further advancement of joint projects focused on enhancing cross-border infrastructure,” stated the joint declaration.
“We have reached an agreement to identify and develop new routes and corridors along the North-South axis, connecting our three countries through newly established railway and highway infrastructures,” it elaborated.
Additionally, the three leaders have decided to form a task force led by the respective ministers. This task force’s purpose is to prepare and execute a memorandum of understanding regarding the financing, development, construction, and management of a transportation corridor that will connect the three nations.
The leaders have also reaffirmed their call for Bulgaria and Romania to be admitted to the Schengen Area of the EU in 2023.
Furthermore, they have pledged to collaborate in tackling the issue of illegal immigration within the EU. Their commitment involves strengthening cooperation to combat illegal immigration, dismantle human trafficking networks, and disrupt funding and supply chains.
