Today is a time not only for reflection, but also for a new ambition - for Bulgaria to be an active voice for a united, strong and peaceful Europe, President Iliana Yotova wrote on her Facebook page on the occasion of 21 years since the signing of the Treaty of Accession to the European Union by Bulgaria.

According to her, this choice has given us the opportunity to develop as part of the largest economic and value-based union in the world. "Today our appeal is clear: to work for a stronger European economy — competitive, innovative and sustainable. Only in this way can we guarantee the prosperity of our citizens and the stability of the Union," the head of state points out.

According to Yotova, Europe's security must be built not only by strengthening forces, but also through dialogue and diplomacy. In a world of increasing challenges, reason, cooperation and respect for international law are the path to lasting peace and security, she adds.

On April 25, 2005, at a solemn ceremony in Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Romania signed the Treaty of Accession to the EU. On the Bulgarian side, the Treaty of Accession was signed by President Georgi Parvanov, Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Minister of Foreign Affairs Solomon Passy and Minister for European Affairs Meglena Kuneva. On January 1, 2007, Bulgaria officially became part of the European Union.