NEWS

European Integration is the Driver of the Positive Change in the Balkans

Bulgaria will continue to support the international community’s efforts and those of the authorities in Pristina to build a modern and democratic Kosovo. This is what President Rosen Plevneliev said, who held talks with the President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga in Pristina today. This is the first official visit of a Bulgarian head of state in the Republic of Kosovo. Rosen Plevneliev emphasized that the success Kosovo will achieve in building efficient institutions which promote the rule of law will be a success for the whole region.

The excellent relations between Bulgaria and Kosovo are based on friendship, mutual respect and cooperation. Bulgaria was one of the first countries to recognize the Republic of Kosovo, President Atifete Jahjaga recalled. She thanked President Plevneliev for our country’s active contribution to the missions of the international peacekeeping forces in the country in the past years and the establishment of the state institutions in Kosovo.

As an EU and NATO member state, Bulgaria will continue to work so as to keep the peace in the region, the Head of State assured. Our country attaches primary importance to the EU mission in the sphere of observing the rule of law in Kosovo and is the third major participant in EULEX with 56 Bulgarian representatives. Bulgaria will continue to take part in the KFOR operation under the auspices of NATO.

The two presidents shared the opinion that the European integration of Kosovo and the other Western Balkan countries lies at the basis of ensuring lasting stability and prosperity in our region. Rosen Plevneliev highlighted that our country has always consistently supported the European prospects of its neighbors. “Concluding the negotiations on signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU is an important step in the process of Kosovo’s European integration and is a recognition of the consistent efforts devoted to conducting reforms,” the Head of State said. The two presidents agreed that the European integration is the driver of a positive change in the Balkans.   

“Good-neighborly relations are of key importance for achieving progress in the process of regional and European integration,” the Head of State further said and voiced his support for the development of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, as a factor for normalizing the relationships between the two countries. “The Republic of Kosovo is working to ensure that a new chapter is opened in the relationships with Serbia, in which mutual respect and cooperation will be most important,” President Jahjaga emphasized.

The Bulgarian President welcomed the decision to include Kosovo as a full member in the work of the Process for cooperation in Southeast Europe, the presidency of which will be assumed by Bulgaria in July 2015.

The connectivity of the transport and energy networks and the construction of a state-of-the-art infrastructure are a common strategic priority for the countries in the region, Rosen Plevneliev and Atifete Jahjaga further said. Building the transport corridors 8 and 10 and connecting the future Sofia-Nis highway with the Nis-Pristina one is extremely important for promoting the trade in Southeast Europe.

The two presidents also discussed the progress of the projects on improving the energy security in Southeast Europe by providing an opportunity for a real diversification of the natural gas sources. “Our ambition is to ensure that the creation of a European Energy Union starts namely in the Balkans, which will provide each country in the region access to three alternative natural gas sources. The establishment of a regional energy bourse and a regional energy market should become a common priority for Southeast Europe,” the Bulgarian Head of State said. By expanding the energy infrastructure in the region, Bulgaria may supply electricity to Kosovo also, President Plevneliev further pointed out.

In Rosen Plevneliev’s words, the better connectivity among the countries in the region will offer qualitatively new prospects for the economic growth of the Balkans, which will be beneficial for all countries. Our country is ready to organize business forums which will encourage the direct contacts between the business circles from the two countries and the exchange of tourists. The Head of State highlighted pharmacy and the production of generic medicines, agriculture and food production, construction and renewable energy sources as particularly perspective spheres of economic cooperation. The opportunities for promoting the intercultural dialogue were also discussed.

The joint fight against organized crime, the illegal trafficking of people, drug trafficking and terrorism were also topics discussed at the talks held between Rosen Plevneliev and Atifete Jahjaga.

The Head of State Rosen Plevneliev was welcomed by President Jahjaga in Pristina at an official ceremony. Within the framework of his visit, the Bulgarian President will also hold a meeting with Kadri Veseli, Parliament Speaker of Kosovo.

On 22 April, Wednesday, Rosen Plevneliev will meet the Bulgarian representatives in the international organizations who work in Kosovo and will visit the KFOR base in Pristina.