By Nur Asena Erturk
ANKARA (AA) – France’s president on Wednesday hailed Bulgaria's support for embattled Ukraine, and its stance since the start of the war in 2022.
"We act together with our European partners to support Ukraine," Emmanuel Macron told a joint news conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov in Paris.
Mentioning the European Union’s €50 billion ($54 billion) aid package for Ukraine announced on Feb. 1, he praised Bulgarian authorities' "bravery since the start of the conflict to change the paradigm of relations with Russia."
For decades, Bulgaria was a Warsaw Pact country, firmly in the orbit of the USSR, the state succeeded by Russia.
"This is the base on which our countries should work to reinforce the continent's security and defense," Macron added.
Russia's military offensive in Ukraine started on Feb. 24, 2022, and will enter its third year on Saturday.
Macron stressed that the EU should play a bigger role to ensure its own security, to strengthen its capacity to defend itself autonomously.
The French president also underscored cooperation between his country and Bulgaria in many areas, particularly nuclear energy.
- 'Strength in unity'
Denkov stressed the close collaboration between Bulgaria and France, particularly in energy, security, defense, trade, culture, and agriculture.
"As members of the EU and NATO, our close cooperation guarantees and reinforces our economies' and societies' security, as well as all of Europe's. This also strengthens our trans-Atlantic cooperation," the prime minister said.
Bulgaria's motto is that "there is strength in unity," he added.