Assistant Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Hrvoje Marušić 7 November held political consultations with Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Todor Churov.
The talks focused on EU topics, notably those discussed at the last European Council, held 24 and 25 October. In regards to financial and economic issues of the EU, both sides agreed on the need to further integrate the banking union and advance the single market, particularly digital (in order to overcome the differences between the eastern and western EU), as well as the service market. The two officials highlighted the importance of a secure energy supply, in which Croatia given its geostrategic location could play an important role. Both sides agreed that it was necessary to complete the energy market and continental distribution network as soon as possible.
In regard to transport, Croatia and Bulgaria are both interested in finalizing transport corridor X and VII, while the Croatian side stressed the necessity of linking Croatia’s south.
The meeting also discussed aligning with the Schengen as one of both countries’ priorities, as well as migration, notably in light of the growing number of Syrian refugees and illegal migrants on the southeast EU border, where Bulgaria is under great migration pressure. Churov thanked Croatia for the financial aid in accommodating refugees from Syria.
In view of legal migration, the interlocutors agreed that it was necessary to open the labour market for all of the EU citizens in order to utilize the advantages of migration for economic growth and development. They also underlined the importance of continuing the EU enlargement in Southeast Europe.
The talks once again confirmed the congruence between Croatia and Bulgaria’s views in regards to important issues and arranged for future cooperation. The official expressed satisfaction with good and friendly bilateral relations between the two countries, while Marušić thanked Bulgaria for its support during Croatia’s EU accession.