site.btaUPDATED Romanian, Bulgarian Foreign Ministers Agree to Coorindate Actions to Lift Internal EU Border Checks

"We have agreed to coordinate our future actions to achieve the abolition of checks at internal European borders," Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita-Teodora Odobescu said here on Monday after meeting with Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel. Odobescu is paying a visit to Bulgaria at Gabriel's invitation.

Romania's top diplomat said that the two countries would continue to work in close cooperation and will work on their partial Schengen accession effective March 31 with the European Commission's support. "We will continue dialogue with the Austrian partners, with the other Member States, with the European Commission, in order to support and work towards such a decision," she said.

Odobescu also focused on the issue of security in the Black Sea and the increased security risk due to Russia's war in Ukraine. This year is particularly important as both countries will mark their 20th anniversary of joining NATO.

"In this context, I have stressed the importance of working to strengthen NATO's capacity on the eastern flank. We also discussed the decision of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkiye to work together to contain and counter the risk of landmines in the Black Sea region," the Romanian Foreign Minister said, noting that this is a good example of the way countries in the Black Sea region can cooperate. As neighbouring countries, Bulgaria and Romania have common goals, including to support Ukraine, Odobescu said, adding that the international community's support is not only to help Ukraine, but to protect international rules and standards.

Odobescu said that among the topics discussed were Romania's support for Ukrainian refugees, the activities to aid Ukrainian grain and "the need to hold accountable all those responsible for the atrocities that have been committed in Ukraine". She pointed out that the commitment to participate in the reconstruction process in Ukraine in the future was also discussed.

Odobescu stressed that Monday's meeting reaffirms the bilateral relations and the common interests in developing the strategic partnership in the context of the anniversary of the signing of the declaration on strategic partnership.

"I reaffirmed our country's support for the future enlargement of the European Union (EU), both in terms of the candidates from the East - Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, as well as the Western Balkans," the Romanian diplomat said. "I stressed the need for the candidate countries to receive a clear signal of support so that they can move forward in implementing their accession plan, and in the process of fulfilling the necessary criteria," Odobescu said. She pointed out that the EU's strategic agenda was also discussed and noted that Romania was actively engaged.

Odobescu thanked the Bulgarian side for its support for the expansion of Romania's diplomatic representation in the country and noted that an honorary consulate will soon be opened in Plovdiv.

"Interconnectivity is a key word for our cooperation, not only at bilateral level, but for the whole region," the Romanian Minister noted. She pointed out that innovation is also an important aspect of cooperation between the two countries.

Odobescu explained that work is being done to develop projects that are extremely valuable for the region, such as the project on improving navigation on the Danube. She said this was important given the efforts to support the transport of grain from Ukraine and future reconstruction work.  

Odobescu pointed out that the focus of Monday's meeting was also on energy cooperation and stressed that both countries are interested in strengthening the sustainability of both the region and Europe. This can be achieved by improving the ties between Bulgaria and Romania and supporting the steps to implement the Green Transition. Both countries are interested in developing joint projects in the fields of manufacturing, transport and green energy. 

Odobescu expressed satisfaction that Bulgaria and Romania are moving towards joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).