On July 1st the Republic of Bulgaria will accept the SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office
Bulgaria considers regional cooperation, reconciliation, connectivity and good neighborly relations as core values on the Balkans. This was what President Rosen Plevneliev said in a statement during the Primary session of the South East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit, which took place today in Tirana, Republic of Albania.
During the Summit Bulgaria accepted from Albania the SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office from 2015 July 1st to June 30th 2015. The Bulgarian Chairmanship will mark the 20th Anniversary of the Cooperation Process which was established in Sofia in 1996.
The development of transport and energy networks connectivity in South East Europe, strengthening the democratic values in the Region, security and migration issues was presented by the Bulgarian President as main priorities for the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office.
We want borders on the Balkans to fall, not to be moved, President Plevneliev said. Cooperation between neighbors is a very powerful instrument, especially on the Balkans, the President added. He appealed the countries in the Region to work together for more trust and good communication, which could prevent a lot of crises.
“Let us increase our interdependence – common banks, security systems, defense capabilities – that brings all of us together. Let us avoid double games and double standards – in history, in politics, in democracy, in the rule of law and media freedom”, the President also appealed.
Rosen Plevneliev was adamant that the European integration has no alternative and is the only way to guarantee the peace, the stability and prosperity on the Balkans.
“Recent events in the Republic of Macedonia have shown the need to reaffirm our support for the independence and territorial integrity of the country. The Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office of the SEECP will work for the adoption of a joint Declaration to reaffirm the principle of inviolability of national borders in the region”, President Rosen Plevneliev announced in Tirana.