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Press remarks by President António Costa ahead of the meeting with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Rossen Jeliazkov

European Council / Council of the European Union

European Council
Statements and remarks
4 September 2025 23:17

Dear Rossen, first of all, I would like to thank you for your kind words about the tragedy that occurred yesterday in Lisbon. It was very, very sad. Thank you also for welcoming me here in Sofia.

This is my third visit to Bulgaria since I started my new functions, and it is very important to be here close to Bulgarian citizens, engaging with you and working together with all the leaders to prepare the next political year. It is gratifying to see how Bulgaria has been achieving its full European Union potential within the last months, becoming a full member of the Schengen area and clearing the last hurdles to join the Euro area as of 1 January 2026. This is a clear achievement for Bulgaria and for the European Union. Congratulations, dear Rossen.

These are significant events for Bulgarian citizens and businesses, bringing changes to everyday life. I am confident that with your support they will make the most of this, reaping the benefits while overcoming any challenges.

Our dialogue tonight will help shape our common agenda together, as we have several topics to discuss ahead of a very busy autumn.

My visit to Sofia comes right after an important meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine today in Paris. We gave political endorsements to security guarantees that are essential for building a credible and lasting peace in Ukraine. The great news is that we are ready for the day after. Now we need, of course, to conclude this negotiation process and achieve this lasting peace.

Europe has stood firmly with Ukraine against Russia's war of aggression, as the truly indispensable partner. Our support has helped Ukraine remain sovereign after more than three years of war. Bulgaria has contributed significantly to this effort with your military aid, expertise, and regional know-how you have been indispensable in our efforts to support Ukraine. We will continue the course. Our security is tied to Ukraine's resilience.

Russia's hostile behaviour goes beyond Ukraine, with hybrid threats on EU territory: manoeuvres close to the border, cyber-attacks, disruption of critical infrastructure, and attempts to undermine democracy. We will continue to strengthen our resilience, including through the European Union hybrid toolbox to prevent, deter, and respond to such threats.

This brings me to our defence efforts. Your commitment to increase defence spending is not only key in our efforts to intensify our defence investments, but also a clear opportunity for the Bulgarian industry to strongly emerge on the European defence market. This is what I witnessed first-hand during my visit to the Arsenal firearms and munitions factory in Kazanlak, last April.

These key milestones for the country and the region bring me to the importance of the momentum we are witnessing in the broader area. Enlargement is the most important geopolitical investment the European Union can make. There is clearly a new momentum, starting with Ukraine and Moldova, and the shared commitment by all Western Balkans.

Not all countries are progressing at the same pace, but our commitment is clear: to continue advancing the gradual integration between the European Union and the region during the enlargement process itself. The European Union's growth plan for the Western Balkans is a potential game-changer, offering financial support and incentives for reforms, regional cooperation, and economic integration.

We must not lose this momentum and all leaders must do their part. All parties must take responsibility. These are a few of the topics we are discussing and preparing today with you, Rossen, ahead of an intensive period of important meetings, starting with the informal European Council in Copenhagen and the European Council in Brussels in October, where we will also be discussing competitiveness, migration, and the European Union in the world.

A last point I would like to add: the process for the next Multiannual Financial Framework has started and given the challenges we face, it is important that we all approach this debate with an open mind and in a spirit of collective responsibility. We will work hard in the months ahead to start forging a consensus and a budget that works for all Europeans, and naturally for Bulgaria also. Thank you.