The speech online: www.bundespraesident.de page 1 of 2

Toast by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at a dinner hosted by President Rumen Radev in Sofia, , on 4 April 2019

Let me start by thanking you, President Radev, for the very warm welcome you have extended to me and my delegation today. Your generous hospitality is an expression of the strong bonds of friendship that unite our two countries and peoples.

It is a great pleasure to be back in Sofia again, after two previous visits as Foreign Minister. And I am delighted to see you once more, Mr President, following our meeting in Riga last year. I am grateful for our open and fruitful discussions and I value your views and your judgment. We both assumed our new offices in 2017, which for you marked the transition from a distinguished military career. I would like to thank you for your clarity and your candour, especially in your concern for the future of democracy in Europe, and I want to express my deep respect for your leadership.

Throughout the day, I have had the chance to meet and speak with many – policymakers, intellectuals and businesspeople. In each of these discussions, I have learned that the ties between our two countries are closer and stronger today than at any other time in the past 140 years of our diplomatic relations.

We do not share a border, but we feel close to each other beyond our partnership in the and in NATO. Millions of Germans enjoy their holidays on the beautiful beaches of the Black Sea. Hundreds of thousands of Bulgarians live and work in Germany. More than 5,000 German companies are active in Bulgaria, and thousands of Bulgarians learn to speak German every year. These are solid foundations for a shared future.

Bulgaria and Germany share a strongly European outlook. A united Europe is our project, and it is a unique project!

Our Union does not distinguish between those Member States at its geographic centre and those on the periphery. In fact, there are

ADDRESS Bundespräsidialamt 11010 Berlin TEL +49 30 2000-2021 FAX +49 30 1810200-2870 E-MAIL [email protected] WEBSITE www.bundespräsident.de

page 2 of 2 only two kinds of EU Member States – those who are small and those who haven’t yet realised, on a global scale, just how small they are!

I firmly believe that in an increasingly multi polar and uncertain world, the European Union, with all its imperfections, remains the key to a future in security and prosperity on our continent. We value the role Bulgaria plays in this project, with its careful and sensible approach towards a fragile neighbourhood in the Western and towards Turkey, but also its commitment to protecting the EU’s borders. Bulgaria’s successful and professional handling of its Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2018 rightfully earned the respect of its partners.

Continuing on this path, we will need Bulgaria’s commitment and contributions in the future. With Brexit and the upcoming European elections in May, 2019 is a crucial year for Europe. Our Union is being tested, and our democratic societies are being challenged, both from outside and from within. Our work begins at home. It is our task to provide solutions to the pressing problems in our societies, but also to provide inspiration and an idea of the future to which the younger generation can aspire.

In this regard, Mr President, I wish to express my respect for your clear vision and your strong voice. We hope that Bulgaria will find a path to rebuild trust between its political institutions and stakeholders. We all stand to benefit, Bulgarians and their European partners alike, from a strong democracy and strong institutions in this country, as well as from renewed trust among the Bulgarian people in the rule of law. You will find Germany a reliable friend and partner in this endeavour.

Please join me now in raising our glasses, to President Radev, to a prosperous and peaceful future for the Republic of Bulgaria, and to the continued friendship between our peoples in a united Europe.