site.btaPresidents Radev, Sulyok Emphasize Friendship, Energy Links and Bulgarian Community in Hungary

Relations between Bulgaria and Hungary, the countries of the Western Balkans and EU enlargement, energy connectivity in the EU, and the Bulgarian community in Hungary featured high on the agenda of Monday's meeting between Presidents Rumen Radev of Bulgaria and Tamas Sulyok of Hungary. The Hungarian head of State paid an official visit to Bulgaria at Radev's invitation on October 19-20.

The Hungarian President also met with Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.

After his one-on-one meeting with Sulyok, Radev said relations between Bulgaria and Hungary are an example of partnership and constructive dialogue at all levels. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

For his part, Tamas Sulyok said: "Bulgaria is a very important ally for Hungary, and both I and the entire Hungarian state greatly value President Radev's friendship. This friendship is felt not only at the highest levels of government but also across public and political relations in every aspect."

Radev said that while discussing the situation in the Western Balkans and the EU enlargement process, he asked Sulyok and Hungary, which maintains friendly relations with the Republic of North Macedonia, to assist that country. Radev asked Hungary to convince Skopje that "the recognition and inclusion of Bulgarians in the Constitution, adherence to the European consensus, and the absence of pressure or discrimination against Bulgarians in North Macedonia are non-negotiable conditions for the start of EU accession negotiations".

The Hungarian President said Budapest and Sofia share the commitment to see the countries of the Western Balkans join the EU. He noted that significant progress was made towards the EU accession of Albania, Serbia, Montenegro and Moldova when Hungary held the EU Council Presidency in the second half of 2024.

Radev said Hungary is among the leading foreign investors in Bulgaria, and bilateral trade has shown steady growth. The two countries share the view that connectivity within the EU, whether energy, transport, digital, or scientific, is key to economic development. Bulgaria and Hungary are committed to deepening this connectivity, most notably through their energy cooperation. Through efforts to diversify gas supplies and build new interconnectors with neighbouring countries, Bulgaria has become an important hub for energy security, Radev said. 

Sulyok stressed Bulgaria's role as an exceptional partner in the transit of gas. "As Hungary does not have large energy sources, Bulgaria is a particularly reliable and stable partner for us, ensuring the delivery of gas," he said.

The Hungarian President said his country supports Bulgaria's bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as quickly as possible.

The two state leaders concurred that the Bulgarian community in Hungary is an important aspect of bilateral relations. Radev thanked Sulyok for including representatives of the Association of Bulgarians in Hungary and the Bulgarian Republican Self-Government in Hungary in his delegation. He noted that the tradition of Bulgarian gardening in Hungary was added to Hungary's National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage in September.

Sulyok said Hungary considers the presence of the Bulgarian community as a living bridge between the two countries. He said his country is committed to continuing its support for Bulgarian language education in Hungary, and views it as a very positive initiative that Hungarian language classes have begun in Bulgaria.

Radev and Sulyok also discussed the war in Ukraine in the context of the news that Presidents Putin and Trump agreed last week to hold a second high-level summit, which is expected to take place in Budapest. Radev said that "as a result of Hungary's rational position, it is natural that Budapest will host the meeting".

Sulyok stressed that the initiative of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is very important. He commented: "War is not a solution to any conflict, whether it concerns the Russia-Ukraine war or the regional conflicts in the Middle East."

Sulyok also met with Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov on Monday. The two leaders discussed energy cooperation, regional security, and the challenges facing Central and Eastern Europe and the continent as a whole. They stressed the strategic importance of the European integration of the Western Balkans. The war in Ukraine was among the topics discussed.

Zhelyazkov said Bulgaria and Hungary enjoy excellent friendly relations based on deep historical ties and traditions He emphasized the shared interest in further strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, particularly in strategic areas such as investment, transport, innovation, and high technology. 

President Sulyok also praised the strong bilateral cooperation between Bulgaria and Hungary. He highlighted the importance of Bulgaria's entry in the euro area and expressed support for its OECD membership. He focused on the economic development of Central and Eastern European countries. Regarding the war in Ukraine, he said ending it is in everyone's shared interest.

On Sunday, Tamas Sulyok arrived in the southern town of Smolyan to mark Bulgarian-Hungarian Friendship Day and the centenary of Hungarian poet and translator Laszlo Nagy. The two presidents visited the Laszlo Nagy House-Museum and later attended an exhibition and a music-and-poetry performance.