"Of course, we must be satisfied first of all with the speed with which the strategic partnership agreement between Bulgaria and Romania was reached, which was signed by the two presidents on March 15, 2023. This speed was caused by Russia's war against Ukraine. Then Bulgaria and Romania realized the need to really go much more steadily and together on a common path. The first year could be described as very encouraging, really showing the meaning of this strategic partnership from the point of view of things which have been achieved, especially in the area of security, of common responsibility that we have in the Black Sea, of common initiatives both on a bilateral basis and within NATO. We have an extraordinary progress in connectivity.

Hence, the main issue that should be worked on and thought about is how to implement these projects at a new speed, with the speed of strategic partners in the European Union. Why did Bulgaria and Romania act at the pace that was left over from the time of socialism, in which deadlines were not given such importance, but simply some work needed to be reported somewhere. In the conditions of war, in the conditions in which we are responsible for the strategic infrastructure in the region, we cannot work at such a pace. The bridge between Vidin and Calafat was built in 12 years ‎after its signing. This is not a normal term. The normal term for such a bridge should be four years. This is the question that both countries have to answer - how they want to implement these projects. But the first year of the strategic partnership gave the basis to work towards it."‎

"The concern of all pro-European politicians in the European Union from such prospects is serious. The fears come from the fact that, at the same time, populist anti-European forces in various countries are beginning to gain momentum. Here we should also respond to the question of why it happens like this, why such negative phenomena occur at the same time. It happens because the efforts of a third force from the north are aimed precisely at disillusioning the people of the European Union, dissuading them. Sometimes, of course, there are some reasons for this. Here, for example, Bulgaria and Romania still have control over the land borders of Schengen, and this is used in a very clever way to spread propaganda, to manipulate the population - that they don't want us in the European Union, why should we go there?‎

This, of course, is categorically not true. I am personally a deeply convinced Europe-oriented person. I have always been that way, both as a citizen and as a professional. And I deeply believe that the advantages of the European Union are such that people would not want to give them up. Here, the role of politicians is of great importance, who must explain exactly this advantage of the European Union, to explain to ordinary people, to business people, to the whole society what would happen if the European Union changes its character, if the EU loses its attractive power as a community for the free movement of people, of capital, of goods? I am deeply convinced that reason will prevail, and perhaps not only because I want to, but because I can still analyze things. I deeply believe that the pro-European forces in the entire European Union will gain the upper hand and it will not only preserve its essence, but also become stronger because it is facing a danger",  the Bulgarian ambassador to Romania H.E. Radko Vlaykov pointed out in an interview for ‎Radio Bulgaria.‎