site.btaUPDATED PM Zhelyazkov: Trade between Bulgaria and Italy Should Increase

After a meeting between Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni here on Thursday, Zhelyazkov told reporters that trade between Bulgaria and Italy should increase. Zhelyazkov reported that in the years following the COVID crisis, bilateral trade dropped by 10% or some EUR 6 billion.

The Prime Minister said that Bulgaria and Italy's ministers of foreign affairs, of energy, and of defence will be tasked with connecting Italian and Bulgarian businesses through joint projects in the defence industry.

The multiannual financial framework was discussed in the context of the European agenda. The two countries reaffirmed their common position on cohesion policy and the common agricultural policy.

Zhelyazkov said: "We are in the so-called cohesion policy group, and our approach in terms of keeping the cohesion fund as it is at the moment to take into account the regional specificities of the individual member states as principles and policy is the same, so this implies our joint action."

The Prime Minister reported that he and his Italian counterpart discussed the war in Ukraine, as well the possibility of the Holy See mediating in these talks. He pointed out that many parties, the Holy See being one of them, are willing to help end the war. Both Pope Leo XIV and his predecessor Pope Francis were in favour of ending the war.

Zhelyazkov stressed that it is very important for Bulgaria that the US remains an active party in maintaining its position that the conflict can be stopped.

Regarding the convergence report on euro area accession, Zhelyazkov said that Italy has always supported Bulgaria, both for Schengen and for the euro area. "We did not talk in specifics about the convergence report at the meeting today, because if the report on June 4 is positive, we will have Italy's support, both in the European Parliament and in the Council. We have no doubt about that," Zhelyazkov said.

In response to a question, the Prime Minister said that the European Defence Fund provides opportunities for participation in a number of projects related to the defence industry, as well as for joint European arms procurement. It also provides the possibility of a joint venture between European countries and with companies from the Italian defence industry. "We are all aware that European defence depends to a large extent on an increase in the national and European budget, and this should not be at the expense of cohesion funds," the Prime Minister said. According to him, new sources of funding and involvement of the private defence industry should be sought.

Zhelyazkov's programme in Rome continues with an official reception at the Bulgarian Embassy in the Italian capital on the occasion of May 24, the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture and of Slav Letters.

On Friday, Zhelyazkov will have an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.