Interview: Union for the Black Sea ‘vital for Europe’

Relations between Bulgaria and Romania have flourished since they joined the Union in January 2007, Romanian Socialist MEP Victor Bostinaru told EURACTIV in an interview, calling for regional cooperation to be extended to the whole Black Sea area.

Although Brussels tends to consider Bulgaria and Romania as a close couple, the level of contact and cooperation between the two countries before their accession was in fact very modest, Bostinaru points out. It is only after the two countries joined the EU that relations and human contacts developed in a dynamic way, the Romanian MEP explains. 

Tens of thousands of Romanians now go on holiday to Bulgaria, while many Bulgarian businessmen choose to invest in Romania, says Bostinaru, explaining that Romanian tourists are attracted by the quality of services and low prices, while Bulgarian investors take advantage of a much bigger market. 

Cross-border shopping is also booming, especially in the Bulgarian city of Ruse, as is the use of Bucharest airport by many Bulgarians from the northern part of the country. 

According to Bostinaru, the most significant cooperation projects between the two countries have been in the areas of transborder infrastructure and environment. “And let me add that Romania and Bulgaria’s projects involve also Serbia. I think this is very important in view of Serbia’s EU accession perspectives, which we strongly support,” added the MEP. 

Indeed, Bostinaru believes regional cooperation projects involving non-EU members, such as the ‘Union for the Black Sea’ project initiated by the Socialist Group (which will be officially presented in Sofia on 17 October) are “becoming more and more vital for Europe”. The Union, which will involve countries such as EU candidate Turkey, as well as Ukraine and Moldova and even Russia, is important for the EU’s energy security, Bostinaru points out. “It’s an area where major pipelines will be built and where the need to achieve stability and security is a very high priority, especially in light of the recent Georgia crisis.” 

The MEP called for improved relations with Moscow and criticised the present liberal Romanian government, both for antagonising Russia and for failure to advocate a clearer EU perspective for Moldova. 

Indeed, the Romanian politician would like to see bold initiatives establishing visa-free travel for Moldovans and Ukrainians within the EU. He argues that this would bring the countries closer to the Union, adding that the EU labour market would also benefit from the new arrivals. 

Bostinaru expressed cautious optimism over the frozen conflict of Transnistria, hoping that the EU would play a significant role in helping to avoid another Georgia-type scenario. 

To read the interview in full, please click here.

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