The full accession of Bulgaria to the Schengen Area will greatly benefit trade, tourism, transport, and various other sectors. Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, Nikolay Pavlov, said this during an online meeting with the newly appointed European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič. The meeting also included ministers and deputy ministers from Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, Italy, Lithuania, and Romania. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the positive progress on this crucial issue for Bulgaria.
During the online meeting, the member states discussed their main priorities related to trade policy and economic security. The focus was on fostering sustainable, transparent, and open trade relations.
“Free and fair trade must remain our primary objective. To achieve this, we need to further strengthen relationships with trade partners and promote a sustainable and competitive global environment,” Deputy Minister Pavlov said. He noted that access to markets in third countries is another key priority of the EU’s trade policy. “This goal can be reached not only through free trade agreements, but also through other forms of economic partnership,” Pavlov said. He believes that an individualized approach is necessary, taking into account the economic development of each country.
The Deputy Minister also indicated that to ensure fair trade and a competitive environment for EU companies, all existing trade defense instruments must be utilized. “The Commission should continue to provide a level playing field for EU businesses in international markets and, if necessary, develop new trade defense instruments,” Pavlov emphasized. He believes that implementing the European Economic Security Strategy and quickly enacting the updated Regulation on Foreign Direct Investments, which will ensure economic security, are crucial in this context.