Tamás Sulyok welcomed Rumen Radev, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, to Sándor Palace

The Hungarians and the Bulgarians are united by a community of historical fate, and even by friendship – President of Hungary Tamás Sulyok stressed in his press statement following a discussion with President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev at Sándor Palace on Saturday.

Tamás Sulyok said that the discussion with the President of Bulgaria covered, among other things, the position of national minorities, Hungarian-Bulgarian economic relations and energy security in particular. The President of Hungary highlighted that they see eye to eye on the issue of migration.

They also agree that the Russian-Ukrainian war must be settled through diplomacy, and that an urgent ceasefire and a just and sustainable peace must be created.

Tamás Sulyok explained: Hungary continues to be committed to the full-scale accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area.

The President of Hungary stressed that Bulgaria plays a key role in transiting Russian natural gas to Hungary, and that the stability of the transit of natural gas through Bulgaria is of key importance for our country.

Tamás Sulyok also emphasized that Bulgaria was the sixth most important recipient country for Hungarian capital in 2022.

He said it was a step forward that, having experienced the serious migration crisis, our countries have drawn the lessons of history and agree that migration must be stopped, and that its root causes, rather than its symptoms, must be addressed. The President of Hungary then added: in the context of border police cooperation, several dozens of Hungarian police officers are serving in Bulgaria.

President Sulyok pointed out: our national minorities represent an important bridge in our relations. Our national minorities are important to us, they enjoy self-determination and representation rights, and with the Bulgarian nationality advocate in the Hungarian National Assembly, the Bulgarian national minority is also represented at the highest level.

He highlighted that they also agree with the Bulgarian President on their concern about a potential escalation of the Russian-Ukrainian war, and firmly reject the recent suggestions to send European or allied soldiers to Ukraine.

The President underlined that Hungary strongly condemns Russia’s aggression, stands up for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and has provided and continues to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to our neighbour.

Hungary joined the European Union 20 years ago, and our country will assume the EU’s rotating presidency once again on July 1st – the President of Hungary recalled, and then went on to add: their discussion also touched on the importance of enlargement and regional stability.

He added that the priorities of Hungary’s EU-Presidency include the promotion of the EU enlargement process to include the Western Balkans.

Tamás Sulyok directed attention to the intensive, irrigated vegetable production introduced in Hungary by Bulgarian horticulturalists and the beauty of Bulgaria’s beaches.

(MTI)