Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Rumen Radev: Bulgaria must reassume its leadership in the Balkans

Photo: BTA

President Rumen Radev has called on Bulgarian politicians and parties to resolve their "family issues" and restore Bulgaria's leadership in the Balkans "in a broader regional perspective".

"It is high time to take our heads out of the sand, stop dealing with our domestic provincial squabbles and return to where we belong," the head of state said from Sarajevo, where he laid a wreath at the memorial plaque symbolising the friendship between Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina. "My question to the Bulgarian politicians is what happened to the Bulgaria we knew - the country that used to be the first to react to all the important problems in the region, the first to take decisions, the first to provide support, the first to initiate the security process in South Eastern Europe".

During his official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rumen Radev held talks with the High Representative of the international community in Bosnia, Christian Schmitt, as well as with members of both houses of the Bosnian Parliament. Before his meeting with Lieutenant-General László Stitz, the EUFOR commander-in-chief, the President said that the Bosnian authorities highly appreciated the work of Bulgarian soldiers in the operation. 

"Your mission here is extremely important. We are ready to continue to support it" - with these words Rumen Radev addressed the Bulgarian military taking part in Operation ALTHEA of the European Union mission in Sarajevo. He thanked the soldiers for their contribution to security and stability.

The President noted that the biggest problem of the Bulgarian Army was understaffing. That's why, according to him, funding for the Army should be increased and its modernisation accelerated.

Rumen Radev's official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina ended with a meeting at the Butmir military base.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sunny Sunday with slightly higher temperatures

On Sunday it will be mostly sunny. The lowest temperatures will be between 4° and 9°C; in Sofia 3°-4°C. The highest temperatures will be between 18° and 23°C, in Sofia – around 19°C. In the mountains it will be mostly..

published on 5/17/25 7:00 PM

Thousands of Sofia citizens support introduction of “Virtues and Religions” in schools

A crowded procession in support of the introduction of the subject “Virtues and Religions” in schools took place in the center of Sofia. It was organized by civil organizations with the blessing of the Holy Synod. At the..

published on 5/17/25 4:14 PM

Mayor Vasil Terziev promises smooth conduct of matriculation exams if transport strike continues

Sofia Municipality declared that it would mobilize all its resources for the smooth conduct of the matriculation exams for high school graduates on May 21 and 23, Mayor Vasil Terziev announced on his Facebook page. Sofia remains..

published on 5/17/25 3:59 PM