Affordable energy is essential to Europe’s resilience, competitiveness and security, European Council President Antonio Costa said at a joint briefing with Prime Minister Rumen Radev on Thursday.

To build a more resilient, competitive and secure Europe, energy prices must be affordable, Costa said. The European Union must accelerate efforts to reduce energy costs by strengthening market integration and connectivity among its member states. This would help reinforce energy security, with Bulgaria able to play a decisive and strategic role. Costa is in Bulgaria at Radev’s invitation.

Europe’s security is also linked to enlargement, Costa added. Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans belong in the European Union, with each advancing on its own merits and receiving equal treatment. He described enlargement as the most important geopolitical investment the EU could and should make.

Candidate countries must carry out the necessary reforms and honour their existing commitments, Costa said. The EU must also play its part by engaging in constructive dialogue with them and recognizing progress where it is made.

Costa said the EU must continue its joint efforts on Ukraine and remain determined to support the country as it defends itself and seeks a just and lasting peace.

It is time for Russia to stop the war rather than escalate it, Costa said.

Russia’s hostile conduct extended beyond Ukraine’s borders, he added. Examples on EU territory include drones at its borders, cyberattacks, disruption to critical infrastructure and attempts to undermine democracy.

Russia’s threats and attempts at intimidation would not weaken Europe’s resolve to support Ukraine for as long as necessary, until a just and lasting peace is achieved, Costa said. Europe would not back down but would increase pressure on Russia until it stops the killing and shows a genuine commitment to peace, he added. Costa called for genuine peace negotiations to begin.

Costa said 2026 is a landmark year for Bulgaria and a decisive one for the EU. The Union must approve its long-term budget for 2028 to 2034 by year-end. This is essential to ensuring that investment continues to reach those who drive Europe’s prosperity in 2028, he explained. The budget is the main item on the agenda in his talks with leaders in every capital he visits this year, Costa added.

The EU needs a budget matching its ambitions and providing the resources required to deliver its common priorities in key areas such as defence and security, competitiveness, innovation and strategic resilience, Costa said.

At the same time, the budget must continue supporting the EU’s agricultural and cohesion policies, which remain central pillars of prosperity, resilience and balanced development in every European region, including Bulgaria, Costa added.

The next budget would therefore have an entirely new architecture, Costa said. The new reality requires a new budgetary approach, with a new structure and a new method for allocating resources. That is why negotiations on new revenue sources, or new EU own resources, are so important, he added.