President Iohannis attends informal gathering of European Council and EU-West Balkans Summit in Sofia, Bulgaria

Anca Alexe 16/05/2018 | 08:32

On Wednesday and Thursday, president Klaus Iohannis will attend the informal reunion of the European Council and the EU-West Balkans Summit in Sofia, Bulgaria.

According to the Presidency, the European Council’s informal reunion will include discussions on subjects like digital development, research and innovation. The leaders will also discuss about the United States’ withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, as well as the tariffs on steel and aluminium imports recently imposed by the United States.

On research and innovation, Klaus Iohannis will note that these are essential elements of maintaining the EU at the top of global economic and industrial competition. He will support the future framework programme for research, technological development and innovation, Horizon Europe.

At the EU-West Balkans Summit, state leaders will hold talks on common interest themes like connectivity, security and migration. President Iohannis will highlight the importance of projects related to connectivity in infrastructure, energy and digital networks, as these can grow the convergence between the EU and the West Balkans.

Klaus Iohannis will support the continuity of cooperation between the EU and West Balkans to ensure national security and regional stability, and he will also argue for increased efforts for strengthening the rule of law and fighting against corruption. He will also call for more investments in education as one of the most efficient long-term solutions for a secure common space.