NEWS

 

The European prospects for the Western Balkan countries was the focus of a face-to-face meeting between President Rumen Radev and the visiting European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, Oliver Varhelyi. 

 

The Bulgarian Head of State expounded this country's position, which consistently expressed Bulgaria's expectations for the active engagement of the Republic of North Macedonia in resolving the outstanding issues in the relations between the two countries, as well as the sustainable implementation of the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership, which would also push ahead the process of our south-western neighbour's European integration.

 

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.