At a meeting with his Romanian counterpart, President Georgi Purvanov reiterated the position of Bulgaria’s ruling politicians that the two countries are “more valuable” if they go together down the road to NATO membership.
There is a new climate in Bulgarian-Romanian relations and the two countries should handle problems together, Purvanov said after conferring with Ion Iliescu in Bucharest late last Thursday.
The presidents of Bulgaria and Romania and the prime minister of Greece Kostas Simitis gathered at the resort of Snagov near Bucharest during the weekend.
“This year is decisive for Bulgaria and Romania as both countries hope to be invited to join NATO and aspire for membership in the EU,” Purvanov said at the meeting, according to his press secretary Boika Bashlieva. “Each country has its advantages but we are more valuable if we stand together,” he said.
According to the Romanian president, the two countries have common problems – economic and social – and common goals – accession to NATO and the EU.
As part of the trilateral summit, Purvanov discussed the political and economic relations between Bulgaria and Greece at his meeting with Simitis on Friday. One of the topics of interest was the construction of three new border crossings on the common border.
Purvanov also reiterated the country’s position that Units 1 and 2 of the Kozlodui Nuclear Power Plant would be closed down before the end of the year. He said that the closure date for Units 3 and 4 would be determined after an international expert examination with the participation of the European Union.
Representatives of the European Commission have continuously insisted that the first two units be closed by 2003. The Commission wants Units 3 and 4 closed by the end of 2006, while Bulgaria insists on keeping them operational until 2008-2010.
At the end of the trilateral meeting, Purvanov, Iliescu and Simitis released a joint declaration on the Middle East conflict.
“They expressed their strong view that violence and acts of terrorism will not bring peace to the region and that the conflict can only be solved through political means and dialogue,” a press release read.
The three leaders will hold their next summit in Greece in 2003.
There is a new climate in Bulgarian-Romanian relations and the two countries should handle problems together, Purvanov said after conferring with Ion Iliescu in Bucharest late last Thursday.
The presidents of Bulgaria and Romania and the prime minister of Greece Kostas Simitis gathered at the resort of Snagov near Bucharest during the weekend.
“This year is decisive for Bulgaria and Romania as both countries hope to be invited to join NATO and aspire for membership in the EU,” Purvanov said at the meeting, according to his press secretary Boika Bashlieva. “Each country has its advantages but we are more valuable if we stand together,” he said.
According to the Romanian president, the two countries have common problems – economic and social – and common goals – accession to NATO and the EU.
As part of the trilateral summit, Purvanov discussed the political and economic relations between Bulgaria and Greece at his meeting with Simitis on Friday. One of the topics of interest was the construction of three new border crossings on the common border.
Purvanov also reiterated the country’s position that Units 1 and 2 of the Kozlodui Nuclear Power Plant would be closed down before the end of the year. He said that the closure date for Units 3 and 4 would be determined after an international expert examination with the participation of the European Union.
Representatives of the European Commission have continuously insisted that the first two units be closed by 2003. The Commission wants Units 3 and 4 closed by the end of 2006, while Bulgaria insists on keeping them operational until 2008-2010.
At the end of the trilateral meeting, Purvanov, Iliescu and Simitis released a joint declaration on the Middle East conflict.
“They expressed their strong view that violence and acts of terrorism will not bring peace to the region and that the conflict can only be solved through political means and dialogue,” a press release read.
The three leaders will hold their next summit in Greece in 2003.
