Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis Wednesday discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, as well as current issues on the European and international agenda. Babis paid an official visit at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart.
Radev welcomed Babis with an official ceremony at St Alexander Nevsky Square.
Later, the two prime ministers held a one-on-one meeting, led plenary talks between the official delegations and made statements for the press.
They also opened a Bulgarian-Czech business forum and attended the signing of seven bilateral documents.
Energy cooperation
Potential cooperation in the development of nuclear projects was on the agenda. “We agreed to establish a joint working group to foster mutually beneficial cooperation in this area, which is of paramount importance for the future of our energy systems and industries,” said Radev.
He also said that the two countries share the conviction that the energy sector is the foundation of their economic development, and therefore support all efforts to ensure that nuclear energy finds its place on an equal footing with other green renewable energy sources.
He said further that Bulgaria is ready to support Czechia and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe in their efforts to diversify and ensure the stability of energy supplies
Radev highlighted the growing presence of the Skoda Group in Bulgaria and outlined the prospects for new joint projects in the fields of transport, industrial cooperation, and high technology.
Defence industry, investment
In the defence industry, the two countries are among Europe’s leaders in ammunition production, are working together on the production of drones and anti-drone systems, and are set to deepen this cooperation, Radev said.
Strong historical and cultural ties are reflected in a steadily growing trade volume of EUR 3 billion and increasing Czech investment in Bulgaria, Radev went on to say.
Babis said that his country and Bulgaria share the same views on the energy sector, and that is important.
Two wars
The Czech Prime Minister noted that there are two wars, which are unacceptable and everything is being done to bring them to an end. In his words, these wars have a strong impact on Europe and are destroying the energy sector and refineries, and leading to rising fuel prices. Europe is destroying its own economy and is passive on the issue of ending the war in Ukraine. In his words, US President Donald Trump is in constant contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, while European leaders are completely incapable of taking action and achieving peace.
Babis predicted that more refineries will go bankrupt if they do not have enough oil. The situation in the energy sector is not good, and this is particularly true for Czechia, he underscored. He said that if anyone thinks Europe will be constantly at war, and that European car factories will no longer produce cars but tanks instead, that is not a good prospect given the competition from China.
“It is important for us that Europe has a future and remains competitive, and what is being done is entirely against the interests of all EU citizens,” the Czech Prime Minister noted.
Babis said he had invited the Bulgarian Prime Minister to Czechia.
Business forum
Addressing the business forum, Prime Minister Radev said Bulgaria and Czechia should move beyond trade and work together to develop technology, industry and marketing, while jointly offering their new technologies and products on third-country markets. He noted that two-way trade is approaching EUR 3 billion, while Czech investment in Bulgaria exceeds EUR 500 million.
The forum is attended by 176 Bulgarian companies.
Seven bilateral documents were signed in the presence of the two prime ministers.
Radev said Bulgaria has much to offer Czech businesses, highlighting the country’s strategic geographical location and opportunities to develop transport, energy and digital corridors, logistics centres and infrastructure projects.
He also identified the Middle Corridor, linking Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe, as an area for cooperation. Bulgaria has a key position on this corridor and can offer a partnership based on its strategic geographical location, Radev said.
Radev listed space technologies, information technology, artificial intelligence and data centres among the promising areas for cooperation. He highlighted the development of Bulgaria’s space industry and its IT and AI ecosystem.
He mentioned the development of small modular reactors as a future project on which Bulgaria and Czechia could join forces.
Babis stressed that Czechia and Bulgaria have long had similar positions on various European issues.
He said there is a need for more allies in the EU on issues related to European industry. Babis said that Czechia would seek support for its proposals on emissions trading schemes, including postponing ETS2 and changes related to ETS1.
He said that if Europe wants to preserve its industry and limit the impact of the crisis on citizens, the introduction of ETS2 should be postponed.
Seven cooperation documents
Seven bilateral cooperation documents covering defence, medical devices, business, the defence industry and transport were signed at the business forum:
A Memorandum of Understanding between AERO Vodochody and the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence on the joint testing and certification of weapon systems for the AERO L-39 Skyfox aircraft;
A memorandum between the Czech Association of Medical Device Manufacturers and Suppliers and the Bulgarian-Czech Chamber of Commerce on cooperation in the development of Bulgaria’s healthcare sector;
A memorandum of cooperation between the Czech Chamber of Commerce and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
A cooperation agreement between the Czech Chamber of Commerce and the Bulgarian-Czech Chamber of Commerce;
A memorandum of cooperation between the Czech Defence and Security Industry Association and the Bulgarian Defence Industry Association;
A memorandum of cooperation between SVOS and State-owned TEREM HOLDING, aimed at cooperation in the production and maintenance of MARS 4×4 armoured vehicles;
A contract for the purchase of eight electric buses from SOR Libchavy by Ruse Municipality.
A brighter future with joint efforts
With joint efforts, Bulgaria and Czechia can achieve a brighter future, with Bulgaria able to assist Czechia with energy diversification and price stability, while Czechia can help modernize and increase the competitiveness of Bulgaria’s economy, Rumen Radev said during a reception at Sofia’s Hyatt Hotel organized to mark Czech Statehood Day.
Radev stressed the need to review the European emissions trading system and to ensure affordable, accessible and reliable energy. “If we combine our capacity and our capabilities to support you in ensuring sustainable diversification and stable energy prices, and if you support us in building a much stronger and more competitive economy, I believe that both countries will have a brighter future,” Radev said, highlighting Czechia’s experience as an example of building a strong European industry and market economy.
For his part, Babis said: “Europe is losing, Europe is not competitive and Europe needs to wake up.” The guest said Europe accounts for around 6% of global carbon emissions, but despite this, regulations under the European Emissions Trading System, ETS 1 and ETS 2, threaten the European economy and industry. Babis expressed hope that Bulgaria will purchase Czech aircraft, describing them as a high-quality Czech-made product.
Parliamentary cooperation
Bulgaria’s National Assembly Chair Mihaela Dotsova and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis discussed opportunities to expand bilateral parliamentary and economic cooperation.
Dotsova said: “I believe that cooperation between our legislative institutions at the level of parliamentary committees and friendship groups is an effective tool for strengthening bilateral relations.” The National Assembly Chair noted that Bulgaria attaches great importance to constructive cooperation within the V4+ format, as well as under the EU Strategy for the Danube Region.
Babis noted that Bulgaria and the Czech Republic enjoy excellent bilateral relations at both government and parliamentary level. He said he expected a Friendship Group with Bulgaria to be established in the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic soon.
Government Leaders of Bulgaria, Czechia Discuss Ways to Deeper Cooperation, Find They Agree on Most Issues on EU Agenda 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-09-16 15:33:00
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