site.btaParliamentary Chair Zhelyazkov: European Integration Is Best Response to Risks to Stability

National Assembly Chair Rosen Zhelyazkov, who spoke at the 9th Meeting of Presidents of Parliaments of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) in Vienna, said that Bulgaria's position is unequivocal – European integration is the best response to the risks to stability and security in the Danube region. Zhelyazkov's speech was dedicated to security in the Danube Region.

Bulgaria actively supports the EU accession of the Western Balkan countries and the Eastern European partners in accordance with the principle of own merits, Zhelyazkov stressed. He said that as the integration processes progress, new opportunities for effective cooperation will open up within the EUSDR framework. Opportunities to carry out joint operations, risk analysis, training of experts and the establishment of new and more efficient coordination centres will be improved, the National Assembly Chair specified.

Zhelyazkov stated that the EU must send a strong message of unity in its support for Ukraine. The EU should continue to provide Ukraine and its people with all the necessary political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support, he added.

The issue of security in the Danube region requires us to reiterate again and again - we expect a quick agreement on the Ukraine Assistance Fund under the European Peace Facility, Zhelyazkov said. He said that missile and drone attacks on Danube port cities are completely unacceptable and lead to further escalation of tensions, destruction, civilian casualties and obstruction of grain trade. We strongly support the Austrian Presidency's view that it is necessary to expand the capacity of Ukrainian and Romanian Danube ports and to repair the damage caused by the Russian attacks, he stressed.

The is a forum for the exchange of information and experience, enabling national parliaments to exploit the full potential of the European Strategy for the Danube Region. In the framework of the forum, Zhelyazkov held meetings with Austria's National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka and with the President of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, on Monday.