Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
European Council President António Costa spoke in Sofia alongside Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev during his Tour des Capitales, focusing on the next EU budget, energy, enlargement, Ukraine and Russia’s escalating threats.
Costa said every stop on his tour adds an important piece to the puzzle of European unity, as he listens directly to leaders across all Member States.
He called 2026 a milestone year for Bulgaria, pointing to the country’s progress inside the EU and its full membership of Schengen.
Costa said the EU must approve its long-term budget for 2028–2034 by the end of the year, so investments can keep flowing in 2028 to Europe’s farmers, companies, researchers and innovators.
He said the next EU budget must match Europe’s ambitions in defence, security, competitiveness, innovation and strategic resilience, while continuing to support agriculture and cohesion policy as pillars of balanced regional development.
Costa stressed that the next budget needs a completely new architecture because Europe now lives in a very different reality from 2020.
He said new European revenue streams — new own resources — will be crucial to keep national contributions within reasonable limits and unlock an overall agreement.
On energy, Costa warned that Europe needs affordable energy prices for citizens and industry, and must accelerate market integration and interconnections between EU countries. He said Bulgaria can play a decisive strategic role in this area.
On enlargement, Costa said Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans belong inside the European Union, each moving forward on merit and treated equally. He described enlargement as the EU’s most important geopolitical investment.
Costa also warned that Russia’s hostile behaviour goes beyond Ukraine, pointing to drones at EU borders, cyberattacks, disruption of critical infrastructure and attempts to undermine democracies.
His message was firm: Russia must stop the war, accept a ceasefire and enter real peace negotiations. Europe will not relent — it will intensify pressure on Russia until the killing ends and a genuine commitment to peace is shown.
#eudebates #Costa #Bulgaria #Ukraine #Russia
European Council President António Costa spoke in Sofia alongside Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev during his Tour des Capitales, focusing on the next EU budget, energy, enlargement, Ukraine and Russia’s escalating threats.
Costa said every stop on his tour adds an important piece to the puzzle of European unity, as he listens directly to leaders across all Member States.
He called 2026 a milestone year for Bulgaria, pointing to the country’s progress inside the EU and its full membership of Schengen.
Costa said the EU must approve its long-term budget for 2028–2034 by the end of the year, so investments can keep flowing in 2028 to Europe’s farmers, companies, researchers and innovators.
He said the next EU budget must match Europe’s ambitions in defence, security, competitiveness, innovation and strategic resilience, while continuing to support agriculture and cohesion policy as pillars of balanced regional development.
Costa stressed that the next budget needs a completely new architecture because Europe now lives in a very different reality from 2020.
He said new European revenue streams — new own resources — will be crucial to keep national contributions within reasonable limits and unlock an overall agreement.
On energy, Costa warned that Europe needs affordable energy prices for citizens and industry, and must accelerate market integration and interconnections between EU countries. He said Bulgaria can play a decisive strategic role in this area.
On enlargement, Costa said Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans belong inside the European Union, each moving forward on merit and treated equally. He described enlargement as the EU’s most important geopolitical investment.
Costa also warned that Russia’s hostile behaviour goes beyond Ukraine, pointing to drones at EU borders, cyberattacks, disruption of critical infrastructure and attempts to undermine democracies.
His message was firm: Russia must stop the war, accept a ceasefire and enter real peace negotiations. Europe will not relent — it will intensify pressure on Russia until the killing ends and a genuine commitment to peace is shown.
#eudebates #Costa #Bulgaria #Ukraine #Russia
