site.btaRumen Radev Will Make His First Visit As Prime Minister to Berlin

The first working foreign visit of Prime Minister Rumen Radev will be to Berlin, Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova told Bulgarian journalists in Brussels on the sidelines of Monday’s European Foreign Affairs Council.

“We have confirmation and an invitation from Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the first foreign visit is planned to be in Berlin,” the Minister said. “I think it is important to show that with key partners such as Germany we can have an active policy. In this case, it is also a matter of the invitations extended to the prime minister.”

She added that during his first week in office, he also received invitations from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, President Emmanuel Macron, and President of the European Council Antonio Costa.

“We are trying to find a way to organize all these opportunities. The message is clear, I do not think it is so important which country comes first,” Petrova added.

“Bulgaria has so far supported all sanctions against Russia,” the Minister said in response to a question.

“Our approach to sanctions will be such that each proposed package is examined individually, in order to find the necessary balance between effectiveness and the political signal they send. Ultimately, sanctions are useful when they can inflict the necessary economic damage on Russia and reduce the chance of continuing the war,” she said.

On the other hand, she added, it is important for sanctions to be coordinated with other partners, especially the United States, because “a real impact is felt only when there is unity at the global level.”

Asked whether Bulgaria would support extending already adopted sanctions against Russia, Velislava Petrova noted that the issue was not on the agenda of Monday’s meeting.

“Bulgaria will be a constant partner working for EU unity,” said Velislava Petrova.

“We believe that a strong Europe is good for Bulgaria, but Bulgaria must find its active role in the European Union, rather than being a country that simply follows. We have been a member of the EU for almost two decades, and it is important to find our place not just as followers of foreign policies.”

She added that Bulgaria sees its role as a country that actively puts forward priorities related to security, connectivity, and energy - areas where it has the capacity to be a strong and active partner.

“We will not be a destructive partner that only sets conditions and works to erode European unity. At the same time, we will clearly define what the Bulgarian interest is,” Petrova said.

She said that earlier on Monday she spoke with her counterpart from North Macedonia Timco Mucunski.

“We had a good first meeting. Bulgaria has a clearly established position, which since 2022 has not been a bilateral issue, but a matter of discussion between the EU and a candidate country,” the Minister said. “I am glad that there is a very broad political consensus in Bulgaria on this position,” she added.

Velislava Petrova expressed the expectation that Skopje will take steps demonstrating political readiness to continue moving forward on its European path.

“Bulgaria remains an extremely supportive factor,” the Minister added.