Bulgaria wants in on EastMed energy cooperation

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said on Tuesday that his country wishes to cooperate within the framework of the trilateral mechanism among Cyprus, Greece, and Israel in the energy field, adding that Bulgaria is geographically a natural continuation of these three countries.

Radev was speaking after a meeting he had with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, who is paying Bulgaria a two-day official visit.

In the morning, President Anastasiades was officially welcomed in a ceremony at the Alexander Nevski square. The national anthems of the two countries were performed and the President laid a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier.

Later on, the two Presidents held a private meeting followed by expanded talks between the delegations of the two countries.

In his remarks to the media afterwards, President Anastasiades noted the mutual will of the two countries to further strengthen their bilateral relations in all fields.

He thanked Bulgaria for its support to the people of Cyprus following Turkey`s military invasion of the country in 1974, as well as for its principled stance with regard to the solution to the Cyprus problem, and pointed out his readiness to enter into a resumption of the negotiations for a solution.

President Anastasiades also said that he briefed his Bulgarian counterpart on the Turkish provocations both with regard to the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus and the fenced city of Famagusta, Varosha.

He added that the two countries share common positions with regard to matters of EU concern such as the MFF and Migration.

Referring to the trilateral mechanism with countries in the region, Anastasiades said that no country that respects international law and the sovereignty and independence of states, is excluded from these mechanisms.

On his part, President Radev said, among other things, that his country wishes to enhance its relations with Cyprus, particularly in the fields of energy, economy, and investments.

He also referred to the historic relations between Cyprus and Bulgaria, stressing his country’s principled and firm stance on the Cyprus problem.

Radev also said that Bulgaria wishes to cooperate within the framework of the trilateral mechanism among Cyprus, Greece, and Israel in the Energy field, adding that Bulgaria is geographically a natural continuation of these three countries.

Later in the day, President Anastasiades met with Bulgaria`s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

Welcoming him, Prime Minister Borissov expressed the wish of his government for further strengthening the already excellent relations with Cyprus in all fields, including energy.

On his part, the President said that the existence of more than 30 bilateral Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding are proof of the strong relations between the two countries, and thanked Borissov for Bulgaria’s position on the Cyprus issue as well as for its contribution to the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus.

He also said that “our aim and expectation is to achieve synergies in the field of energy for the benefit of the states in the region.”