“This year marks 30 years of history of mutual support and mutual assistance between Bulgaria and Croatia. During this period the two countries have come a long way and today are friends and allies in the European Union (EU) and NATO, and the 12-century friendship between them continues,” said Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska at a joint press conference with Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlic-Radman in Zagreb on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry’s press office reported.
The two ministers expressed their common will to deepen relations between the two countries, which will continue to be supported in the future against the background of the global challenges facing Europe and the world.
Minister Genchovska emphasized that Bulgaria has always strongly supported Croatia ever since the period of declaring, recognizing, and defending its independence and territorial integrity, to its accession to the EU, NATO, and international organizations. “The partnership between Bulgaria and Croatia is developing within the EU and NATO. Sofia and Zagreb must commit to working for a new strategic dimension by deepening and strengthening cooperation in key areas such as security and defence, trade and economic ties, tourism, education, science, and culture,” Bulgaria’s top diplomat was quoted as saying. Teodora Genchovska and Gordan Grlic-Radman will work together for the accession of the two countries to Schengen, the eurozone and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
During the meeting, the two foreign ministers expressed concern over the situation in Ukraine, concurring that Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military invasion of Ukraine has created a new geostrategic reality that undermines European security.
Among the topics discussed was the Three Seas Initiative. “The initiative provides great opportunities for connectivity between countries, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine. Its potential can be used in terms of energy connectivity, and Bulgaria and Croatia can work in this direction,” said the Bulgarian Foreign Minister. She added that Bulgaria and Croatia are among the strongest supporters of the European integration of the Western Balkan countries.
During her visit to Croatia, Minister Genchovska also met with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic and representatives of the Bulgarian community. She also visited the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, where the Croatian side expressed personal gratitude to Bulgaria for the financial assistance provided for reconstruction after the earthquakes in 2020.
