Blanar Off to Bulgaria, to Discuss Latter as Transit Country for Energy

Sofia/Bratislava, March 24 (TASR) - Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) on Monday left for Bulgaria, where he is set to meet several Bulgarian officials. Blanar's visit was initiated by Slovakia in an attempt to restart bilateral relations and exchange experiences with Bulgaria. The minister stressed that the last member of the Slovak government to visit Bulgaria was former foreign affairs minister Miroslav Lajcak in 2019. During his visit to Bulgaria, Blanar is scheduled to hold talks with his Bulgarian counterpart George Georgiev on bilateral issues, as well as issues concerning the EU and NATO. The development of Bulgaria as a transit country for energy carriers will be on the agenda as well, with Blanar describing this as key for Slovakia. Blanar will be interested in Bulgaria's progress in preparing for introducing the euro, which should happen next year, as well as its candidacy for membership of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Blanar emphasised Slovakia's support for Bulgaria in its efforts to join the eurozone and the OECD. The Slovak minister is due to meet Bulgarian President Rumen Radev to discuss several issues, including current geopolitical developments. As part of his programme, Blanar will meet the chair and vice-chair of the Bulgarian Parliament and vice-chair of the Bulgarian parliamentary foreign-affairs committee. Their talks should focus on the efforts of Western Balkan countries to integrate into the EU. ko/df