NEWS

Rumen Radev: We should convince the EU that the Balkans can be a region of security and prosperity

Bulgaria will continue to support the international community in its efforts to reassert Kosovo as a stable and democratic state in South-eastern Europe, President Rumen Radev said at a meeting with the president of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci. The Bulgarian head of state emphasized that our country will continue to work toward ensuring the European prospects of all its neighbouring states in the region of the Western Balkans.

"We should convince the EU that the Balkans can be a region of security and prosperity" Rumen Radev pointed out. In the spring of 2018, during Bulgaria's presidency of the Council of the EU, a summit will be held between the EU and the Western Balkans, at which the countries from the region will present their positions on the debate of Europe's future development. In October 2017, Sofia will host a meeting of the ministers of justice and the ministers of the interior of the EU member states and the countries from the Western Balkans.

President Radev was adamant that the EU should continue adhering to its commitment to the European prospects of the countries in our region, and that the applicant countries for EU membership should receive support in meeting the membership criteria. "Bulgaria is ready to share its experience in this process and to work toward developing relations of good neighbourliness among all countries in the Balkans", Rumen Radev further said.

"There is no alternative to the dialogue with Serbia, so Kosovo will continue to put all efforts into the establishment of good neighbourly relations between the two countries", Hashim Thaci said in turn. He thanked Bulgaria for the support extended to Kosovo within the international missions and particularly within the framework of EULEX. Hashim Thaci noted that Kosovo's accession to the EU and NATO is a top priority on the country's foreign policy agenda.

Other topics discussed at the meeting were the prospects for the development of the regional infrastructure in South-eastern Europe, the increase in the trade between Bulgaria and Kosovo, the bilateral cooperation in the area of education and culture.