Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Sofia on Thursday to discuss bilateral strategic partnership, energy, transport connectivity, security and issues on the European agenda. The two counterparts held a one-on-one meeting at the Council of Ministers building, followed by plenary talks between the two delegations and a news briefing.

Speaking to journalists, Radev said that Bulgaria and Greece have become a strong axis of stability and a guarantor of the region’s EU prospects. He said bilateral relations have developed into a strategic partnership based on mutual trust, shared values and common interests. “Today, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and I reviewed bilateral relations and discussed a number of issues on the European agenda,” Radev said.

He highlighted the positive development of economic relations between the two countries. Bilateral trade has reached EUR 6 billion annually, increasing by EUR 1 billion in 2025 alone, Radev said, adding that Greek investment in Bulgaria exceeds EUR 3.5 billion.

Radev said cooperation between Bulgaria and Greece in energy, transport and digital connectivity goes beyond bilateral relations and is important for Europe as a whole. He said the Bulgaria-Greece gas interconnector, the development of the Vertical Gas Corridor, electricity links between the two countries and future green energy corridors are already changing Europe’s energy map and ensuring diversification and security of supply for Central and Eastern Europe. “This is an investment that brings security and economic growth and enables us to participate in the economic and export development of the entire region,” Radev said.

He added that he and Mitsotakis discussed accelerating work on the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project, for which a memorandum of understanding on exploring implementation opportunities was signed in 2023.

The development of digital infrastructure was also among the highlights of the talks. According to Radev, Bulgaria and Greece have significant potential for developing data centres and technologies related to artificial intelligence (AI).

In security, the two countries will continue to deepen cooperation in defence, the defence industry, protection of the EU’s external borders, and countering illegal migration, terrorism and trafficking. Radev thanked Greece for its commitment to strengthening Bulgaria’s air defence amid a complicated security environment.

On the European integration of the Western Balkans, Radev said Bulgaria and Greece share a common responsibility as drivers of the process, but progress must be based on the principle of own merits, the rule of law, respect for human rights and good-neighbourly relations.

The two government leaders also discussed the EU’s future multiannual financial framework. Radev said Bulgaria and Greece will continue to defend cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy, while supporting EU efforts to boost competitiveness and industrial autonomy.

Sofia and Athens will insist that resources from the future European competitiveness fund be distributed in a way that enables all Member States to develop their industrial base, he said. “We are beginning to speak of industrial cohesion as well,” Radev added.

Radev said that Bulgaria is fulfilling its commitments under the Vertical Gas Corridor on schedule. The Bulgarian section in southern Bulgaria has been completed, while work on the northern section continues. He said discussions are underway to increase the capacity of the Bulgaria-Greece gas interconnector from 3 billion to 5 billion cubic metres annually, which will contribute to security and supply diversification.

On transport connectivity, Radev highlighted the strategic importance of the railway and intermodal corridor from the Aegean Sea to the Black Sea. Work is underway to modernize the railway link between Alexandroupolis and the Bulgarian border, as well as the Thessaloniki-Promachonas line, he said.

A particular focus of the talks was the need to build a North-South motorway corridor from Ruse to Makaza. Radev said the project is important for using the potential of northern Greek ports and linking them to markets in Romania, Moldova and Ukraine.

Radev said Bulgaria is interested in participating in the management of northern Greek ports, pointing to the Port of Kavala as a facility of strategic importance for the country.

In defence, Radev noted Greece’s participation in the NATO multinational battlegroup in Bulgaria and outlined opportunities to expand cooperation in the defence industry, including the development of drones and counter-drone systems. He also highlighted prospects for joint training in connection with Bulgaria’s acquisition of F-16 fighter aircraft.

Radev also pointed to nuclear energy as a promising area for future partnership. He said the development of data centres and AI technologies requires reliable and predictable energy sources, opening new opportunities for cooperation between Sofia and Athens.