NEWS

Rosen Plevneliev: Bulgaria Will Remain Committed to the Establishment of Democratic Institutions in the Republic of Kosovo

“Bulgaria enjoys an excellent reputation in Kosovo, which is the result of the work of the Bulgarian servicemen who take part in the KFOR mission in Kosovo. This opens a lot of doors and offers prospects. Bulgaria is leading Kosovo on the road to European integration. Our country here is a leader. You are Bulgaria’s envoys, who are successful, devoted and worthy,” the Head of State emphasized at a meeting with the Bulgarian servicemen in the KFOR base Film City, where the headquarters of the mission in Pristina are located.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief highlighted the high appraisal of Kosovo’s political leadership of the Bulgarians’ work in the KFOR mission, as well as in the international organizations in the country. “However, it is the appraisal of the people of Kosovo that is most important, the people who love you and trust and respect you and your work a lot,” Rosen Plevneliev told the Bulgarians.

The President said that the establishment of state institutions in Kosovo and the support for the activity of the international missions in the country are among the most important tasks of the Bulgarian policy in the Balkans. “Establishing the rule of law in the Republic of Kosovo is of key importance for achieving lasting stability and economic prosperity not only in the country, but also in the region of Southeast Europe,” President Rosen Plevneliev said. In the Head of State’s words, a single country in the region cannot alone achieve success in the fight against terrorism, the acts of intolerance and extremism.

“Bulgaria will continue to be part of the KFOR mission until we are sure that the process of establishing democratic values is irreversible,” Rosen Plevneliev further said.

At a meeting held with the Head of State, Major General Francesco Figliuolo, commander of the KFOR forces in the country, called on the Balkan countries to be irrevocably committed to resolving the economic problems the Republic of Kosovo is facing. He emphasized that the success of the military mission is the result of the support of all represented nations and highlighted the Bulgarian servicemen’s contribution. “Bulgaria took part in the KFOR mission even before it became a NATO member,” General Figliuolo emphasized. 860 Bulgarian servicemen have taken part in the NATO military mission since 2002.

Earlier in the day the Head of State met Bulgarian officials working in the international organizations in Kosovo, who briefed the President on their activity in the Supreme Court, the police, the customs agencies and other institutions in the country. Ensuring security, stability and the protection of human rights in Kosovo by including all ethnic and religious communities in the country, as well as the support for the further development of the dialogue between the authorities in Pristina and Belgrade, are among the major tasks the UN mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has to perform. The major priority Bulgaria has set is the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo EULEX, in which Bulgaria has 56 representatives. Within the EU Mission, Bulgaria has its personnel in the police unit, which is highly appreciated and requests to extend the mandate of some of the Bulgarian officials have been submitted to our country.

Today President Rosen Plevneliev arrived on an official visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Head of State will hold meetings with the President of the Presidency and members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mladen Ivanic, Dragan Covic and Bakir Izetbegovic. In Sarajevo the Bulgarian President will hold talks also with the members of the leadership of the two chambers of the parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina and also with Denis Zvizdic, Chairman of the Council of Ministers.