27.05.2026
“France is among Bulgaria’s leading partners in the modernization process of the Bulgarian Army. We are about to go ahead with agreements on the supply of 3D radars, next-generation howitzers and armament for our multi-purpose modular patrol ships.” This was stated by Prime Minister Rumen Radev before his meeting with the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron. The Prime Minister stressed the two countries’ shared positions on matters of European security, diversification of energy supplies and nuclear power development as a strategic element of Europe’s energy sovereignty. The good cooperation with France in the supply of fresh nuclear fuel for Unit 6 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant by Framatome was noted accordingly.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev emphasized also the need to meet the commitments to deliver twelve electric trains that are of key importance for the implementation of the projects under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).
Prime Minister Rumen Radev gave prominence to the role of France to find a common European solution concerning the European integration of the Republic of North Macedonia and the protection of the rights of the Bulgarians in that country. The Prime Minister recalled that back in 2021, Bulgaria brought up the issue of the inclusion of Macedonian Bulgarians in the Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia, and subsequently, with the assistance of President Emmanuel Macron, the matter was incorporated into the EU’s 2022 negotiating framework.
Bulgaria’s Prime Minister highlighted, inter alia, the country’s major priorities within the EU, related to the maintenance of a strong cohesion and agricultural policy, in addition to the need to guarantee Europe’s strategic autonomy and food sovereignty for which Bulgaria will seek the support of France.
Regarding Bulgaria’s support for Ukraine, Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that so far, the country has provided political, humanitarian, diplomatic and even military support to Ukraine. He pointed out that in a situation of a changed security landscape, the country should show the needed responsibility and attention in its approach to future decisions concerning military and financial support. The Prime Minister noted that Bulgaria is confronted with grave challenges related to public finances and the budget, as the main priority of the government continues to be the guaranteed security and living standards of the Bulgarians, before the consideration of financial solutions in support of third countries.
Vis-à-vis a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine, Prime Minister Rumen Radev noted that Europe should take a more active and leading role. “Europe should have been the leader in these negotiations and should have disallowed that the initiative be taken by other third-party players,” Rumen Radev emphasized. Further, the Prime Minister said that it is necessary to make a reassessment of the European policy regarding the conflict in view of the security risks and the changing defense situation.
In his answer to a question concerning the doctrine proposed by France in the field of nuclear deterrence and joint exercises, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said that as of now, Bulgaria has not received an official initiation to participate. The Prime Minister underscored that Bulgaria would carefully analyze all future options of cooperation while he stressed that Europe’s main priority should be diplomatic efforts and peace negotiations.
Later today, Prime Minister Rumen Radev will meet with Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever at whose invitation he is visiting Brussels. The talks will focus on investment, innovation, rule of law and Bulgaria’s transition to an economy with high added value and high technologies. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of Belgium as a leading economic partner and investor in Bulgaria, in addition to the similar stances between the two countries on matters of energy security and the future of Europe.
Tomorrow, in Brussels, Prime Minister Rumen Radev will meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte; the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen; and the President of the European Council António Costa. At the talks Bulgaria will uphold its priorities of a fair European budget, full-fledged cohesion and agricultural policy and the effective implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan. Emphasis will be placed on the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) so that it would not increase the economic inequalities between member states. Prime Minister Rumen Radev emphasized the need for a pragmatic and realistic approach to Europe’s security and the protection of Bulgarian citizens in conditions of a complicated international situation.
