Bulgaria will be assuming the office of the EU Presidency during the second half of 2018. During discussions with his Bulgarian counterpart Rusi Ivanov, European Affairs Director of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy State Secretary Bálint Ódor promised that Hungary would share the experience gained during its 2011 EU Presidency within the framework of a structured cooperation.

Bálint Ódor was also received by Deputy Foreign Minister Teodor Curov.

The visit to Sofia provided an opportunity to discuss the positions of the two countries with respect to EU issues. Both parties agreed that there are more and more areas in which Hungary and Bulgaria can join forces in Brussels, including the banking union, economic policy coordination, energy cooperation and enlargement. Bálint Ódor pointed out that we are also counting on Bulgaria on such issues within the framework of Central European cooperation.

The parties reviewed in detail the issue of migration, as an area which has special significance for both countries. They emphasised that it was important to cooperate at a European level on issues of common interest and to call attention to the challenges posed by the south-eastern migration route and the necessity of an appropriate EU response. In addition to maritime borders, the European Union must also pay special attention to its land borders. In terms of the enlargement process, there was agreement between the parties on supporting the accession of Serbia. The parties also agreed that the accession of Serbia has a regional impact, which in terms of its significance points beyond the accession of a country, and accordingly all means must be used to support this process.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)