President Amherd and Bulgarian president Radev discuss bilateral relations, Europe and the security situation
Bern, 27.05.2024 - On Monday 27 May, Swiss president Viola Amherd and Bulgarian president Rumen Radev discussed bilateral relations between their two countries, European policy, the security situation on the continent and the strengthening of multilateralism. The meeting took place in Bern.
Bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Switzerland are healthy and diverse, as both sides have recognised. Contacts in many areas are actively cultivated; bilateral trade is growing steadily and Switzerland is the fourth largest foreign investor in Bulgaria. Switzerland welcomes the ongoing preparations for Bulgaria's accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and sees this as an opportunity to build up economic relations. The second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states also helps boost political and economic cooperation; Bulgaria was the first of the partner countries to sign the bilateral implementation agreement.
The ongoing negotiations between Switzerland and the EU were also on the agenda. Ms Amherd reiterated Switzerland's intention to find solutions to stabilise and progress the bilateral path with the EU. The expansion of the Schengen area to include Bulgaria and Romania was also discussed. Air and sea border controls between the two countries and the Schengen area were lifted at the end of March.
Other topics of discussion on Monday included Switzerland's and Bulgaria's involvement in the UN and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) as well as the situation in the Middle East. The security situation in Europe, in particular the war in Ukraine, was also a key topic. Ms Amherd reported on the work being done in the run-up to the high-level conference on peace in Ukraine, which Switzerland is organising in mid-June at the Bürgenstock Resort. Over 70 countries have already confirmed that they will attend, including Bulgaria, which will be represented by the country’s prime minister, Dimitar Glawchev. The conference provides a platform for all participating states to contribute their ideas and vision for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
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