Greece and Bulgaria are strategic partners building better opportunities and prospects for the Balkans, Republic of Bulgaria President Rumen Radev said at the opening of the 10th Delphi Economic Forum (DEF) on Wednesday. 

Speaking of the region's prospects in an uncertain world, Radev emphasized the need for security, economic development, and competitive ability, and the need to strengthen transatlantic relations. At the same time, one of the sectors that he said contributed to Europe's strategic autonomy is energy security and differentiation, where Bulgaria and Greece continue to provide a powerful example of a very successful strategic cooperation. 

Bulgaria's president referred specifically to the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), the floating terminal station for LNG in Alexandroupolis (in which Bulgaria holds a 20% share), the electricity network between Nea Santa (Greece) and Maritsa (Bulgaria), the oil corridor between Alexandroupolis and Burgas, and other projects between the two countries that would also contribute to energy differentiation in other allied and partnering countries.

Greece has opportunities in solar energy and Bulgaria in water dams, while the two countries can also share their expertise in developing data banks (Greece) and in IT sector and nuclear station for energy production (Bulgaria), he noted. Greece and Bulgaria will continue to be incorporated further into the European Union, Radev asserted, and thanked Greece for its support in joining the Schengen zone. 

Among opportunities Bulgaria offered to Europe, Radev also mentioned the mining and processing of non-ferrous raw products, car manufacturing, the defense industry, and the production and launch of micro and mini satellites sectors in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian president expressed confidence that a united Europe will overcome its challenges and increase its influence in this turbulent world, as long as it can rise to the occasion and create joint strategic actions, with each EU state contributing its share. Bulgaria will always be part of Europe, he added, and will continue to contribute its substantial share to European culture.