18.05.2026
“Bulgaria and Germany can open a new chapter in bilateral relations – not only in the field of trade and investment, but also as partners that contribute to the strategic autonomy, industrial security and technology development of Europe by means of high-tech production, modern infrastructure, secure energy supply and transparent management.” This statement was made by Prime Minister Rumen Radev at a joint news conference with Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin. This is Rumen Radev’s first visit abroad as Prime Minister at the invitation of Chancellor Merz and is an expression of the importance that Bulgaria attaches to the partnership between the two countries. Rumen Radev noted that Germany is a leading investor in Bulgaria and is Bulgaria’s largest trading and economic partner, with trade between the two countries in the past year amounting to over Euro 12 billion and continuing to grow steadily.
In his statement Prime Minister Rumen Radev highlighted the significant role of German investments in the modernization of the Bulgarian economy. The Prime Minister stressed that Bulgaria has put in place sustainable industries and high-tech productions in the sectors of car manufacturing, robotics, electronics, mechatronics engineering, space technologies and the defense industry. Further, Rumen Radev pointed out the development of the Bulgarian startup ecosystem and the growing importance of innovation and Artificial Intelligence for the country’s economic development. “Bulgaria advances not as a marginal but as a major industrial, logistic and economic partner of Germany in Southeast Europe,” Bulgaria’s Prime Minister went on the say.
“For the first time in past decades, Bulgaria has the political strength with broad public support and an overring majority in Parliament, and a new technocratic and energetic government with a clear program,” Rumen Radev said. The Prime Minister enumerated the government’s main priorities: consolidation of the rule of law, fast-track development of the economy on the basis of high-tech industries, ensured energy supply security, faster implementation of infrastructure and energy projects, as well as the increase of the productivity and competitiveness of the economy.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev brought up as a key issue for Bulgaria the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) of the European Union and the need to achieve a steady balance between security, competitiveness and cohesion policies. “It is extremely important for Bulgaria to continue the strong Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy as they ensure social and political sustainability, economic convergence and food security in a situation of growing international insecurity,” the Prime Minister said. In connection with this, Rumen Radev noted that Bulgaria has reservations about the new mechanism to shape the Multiannual Financial Framework where Bulgaria’s contribution increases twofold in the context of additional adaptation costs for the adoption of the Euro. “I am confident that we will seek a solution as we consider these goals not as rivaling but as mutually complementary,” the Prime Minister said further.
Rumen Radev underscored that in addition to the issues of security and defense, Europe should, more and more clearly, place an emphasis, alike, on food sovereignty and sustained food supply. The Prime Minister noted that the COVID-19 crisis, the energy crisis, the military conflicts close to Europe and the disruptions to the global supply chains have clearly demonstrated the need for the European Union to strengthen its autonomy and resilience in strategic sectors, including food production and food supply. “When we put all the key factors on the table – military security, defense, competitiveness, food security and economic sustainability – we will be able to strike the needed balance and to find the formula to guarantee the common security and resilience of Europe,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed that the visit to Berlin of Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev is his first official visit abroad just ten days after he took office. In the view of Friedrich Merz, this clearly demonstrates the close and good relations between the two countries. “We are very glad that you are in Berlin today. I wholeheartedly welcome you!” the Chancellor said as he underscored the traditionally strong partnership between Bulgaria and Germany and the shared European goals. Friedrich Merz added that bilateral relations will continue to deepen. “Under your leadership Bulgaria will be an important and interesting partner for investment. This will strengthen both countries – within the European Union and bilaterally alike,” the German Chancellor said.
Regarding the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework and the balance between defense, cohesion policy and agriculture, Friedrich Merz said that intensive negotiations are upcoming and stressed the need to pursue robust agricultural and cohesion policies while new priorities are set – competitiveness and defense. As he put it, the downscaling of bureaucracy and the opening of markets are the main path to a more efficient spending of public resources.
In his answer to a media question about the encouragement of peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said that at this stage it is most important that the negotiations open. “It is high time for diplomacy because the war of attrition in fact exhausts, economically and socially, all fighting and supporting countries,” the Prime Minister said and expressed his hope that such negotiations would open as soon as possible.
