NEWS

Head of State Iliana Iotova and Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar discussed the integration process of the Western Balkan countries. The conversation took place on the sidelines of the Summit of the South-East European Cooperation Process, which the Bulgarian president is hosting today at the National Palace of Culture. Iliana Iotova and Natasa Pirc Musar expressed satisfaction with the constructive spirit and discussion during the plenary session in Sofia among the leaders of the 13 countries of Southeastern Europe. 

 

The topic of the bilateral meeting between Iliana Iotova and Natasa Pirc Musar was the strategic interest and responsibility of Bulgaria and Slovenia in strengthening security, stability, and prosperity in the Western Balkans. Bulgarian Head of State Iliana Iotova emphasised that the European integration of the countries in the region must be based on the principles of good neighbourliness and merit. The Bulgarian president was adamant that countries embarking on the European path must meet the criteria for EU membership.

 

During the conversation, the initiative by some EU member states to introduce qualified majority voting in the enlargement process was also discussed. Iotova presented the Bulgarian position, noting that decisions on these issues must continue to be made by full consensus, which is a prerequisite for sustainable results in meeting the membership criteria. 

 

Iliana Iotova and Natasa Pirc Musar noted the excellent bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Slovenia. The Slovenian president invited the Bulgarian head of state to Ljubljana to participate in the upcoming annual meeting of the Araujo Group.

 

Araujo is an informal forum for political dialogue among the presidents of parliamentary and semi-presidential countries in the European Union.

Statement by Head of State Iliana Iotova

For projects aimed at improving connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkiye must be viewed as a whole, to be successful, and within the context of closer cooperation in Southeastern Europe. This will bolster both economic development and security in the region, whose strategic importance is growing. This was stated by President Iliana Iotova at a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is on a formal visit to Bulgaria.

Albulena Haxhiu expressed her gratitude to President Iotova for Bulgaria’s support on Kosovo’s path toward membership in NATO and the European Union.

Iliana Iotova raised the issue of depopulation in the area along the Bulgarian-Serbian border and highlighted the need for investment to counter the adverse demographic trend.