Bulgaria is a factor ensuring stability in the Balkans and we pursue an active policy on assisting the development and strengthening the integration of the countries in the region. The future belongs to the regions and the trade relations between the Balkan countries are of key importance for Bulgaria. This is what Head of State Rosen Plevneliev said, who opened a joint business forum in Sofia, together with Albanian President Bujar Nishani.
President Rosen Plevneliev said that during the Bulgarian presidency of the EU Council in 2018, Bulgaria will work for ensuring that the Balkans are in the focus of European policy. “Our strategic goal is to assist economic progress and political stability. By 2020 the European Commission will invest more than 50 billion euros on modernization, on expanding the cross-border cooperation and on infrastructure projects in the region. However, this can happen only if we work together,” the Head of State emphasized and highlighted the joint work on projects such as the pan-European transport corridor 8.
The President recalled Bulgaria’s firm support for the integration of the Western Balkan countries in the EU and the Single European market. “We work so as to strengthen trust, stability and security which are key factors for earning the trust of the business circles,” the Head of State said.
Rosen Plevneliev told representatives of the business circles in Bulgaria and Albania that our country is an example of a correct and efficient EU funds absorption. “We have much better indicators of EU funds absorption than any other country in the region and we expect more than 95 percent to be utilized, with a minimal percentage of errors,” the President said. 300 km of highways, 60 new waste treatment plants are in the process of construction, as well as a number of projects in support of the small and medium-sized enterprise and the Sofia subway with 36 new stations worth about one billion euros. “Bulgaria has gained much experience, shows a correct attitude and efficiency to European solidarity and we would like it to be unlocked also for friendly Albania,” Rosen Plevneliev said.
Bulgaria and Albania cooperate in a lot of strategic spheres, among which are infrastructure and the Energy sector, the Head of State added.
The President highlighted the Bulgarian experience in the implementation of energy projects and invited the Albanian side to take advantage of Bulgaria’s expertise, particularly in the renewable energy sources sector.
The Head of State also highlighted the potential for cooperation in the pharmacy, agriculture and food production, construction, telecommunications, financial and tourist sectors. “We will encourage the Bulgarian companies to think and act in regional terms,” the President said. However, the trade is far below its potential and is worth a mere 80 million euros,” Rosen Plevneliev further told the representatives of the business circles.
Albanian President Bujar Nishani, for his part, highlighted the excellent political relations between Bulgaria and Albania, which have no issues to resolve after a 100-year history of bilateral diplomatic relations. However, President Nishani said that that the trade cooperation is below the level of the political relations. “We should show a responsible attitude to the bilateral trade relations and more fully take advantage of the opportunities for cooperation,” the Albanian Head of State emphasized.
Bulgaria has always been Albania’s traditional partner with respect to trade cooperation, direct investments and the participation in joint initiatives, Bujar Nishani said and added that the institutions in the two countries should work together to improve the investment environment and encourage contacts between the business circles.
More than 60 Bulgarian companies work on the Albanian market, the potential for new Bulgarian investments is great, President Nishani further said and invited the Bulgarian business circles to be more active.
Bujar Nishani voiced hope that the process of EU enlargement will continue. “Albania is fully committed to meeting all the criteria for social, economic and public development and to guaranteeing the stability of the democratic institutions,” the Albanian president told the participants in the business forum.