The President of the EC, Ursula von der Leyen, met with the residents of Plovdiv in the Ancient Theatre. The visit, which took place on Sunday, is part of the tours in EU Member States that the leading candidates for the next president of the European Commission are making, BNR Plovdiv reported. In the previous days, Ursula von der Leyen visited Spain and Germany. 

"Freedom, independence and sovereignty have always been the dream and longing of the people," said von der Leyen and on the occasion of June 2 - the Day of Botev and those who died for the freedom and independence of Bulgaria, quoted Botev's verse "He who falls in freedom's fight. He does not die.” Speaking about freedom and independence, she pointed out that now this applies in full force to the people of Ukraine and thanked Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people for their support for Ukraine.