President meets with Bosnia and Herzegovina Foreign Minister
With active efforts, Bulgaria brought the issue of the European integration of the Western Balkans back to the focus of the EU agenda. Bosnia and Herzegovina can continue to count on Bulgaria's support for the country's EU accession and the implementation of the necessary reforms. This is what President Rumen Radev said at a meeting in Sofia with Bosnia and Herzegovina's Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic who is on an official visit here.
The Bulgarian head of State congratulated Bosnia and Herzegovina for the EU candidate status it was granted last December, as well as for its constructive and active foreign policy. Bulgaria was the first to recognise Bosnia and Herzegovina's independence more than 30 years ago and will continue to support its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, President Radev assured. The head of State stated Bulgaria's readiness to deepen the partnership in the security sector and the opportunity for military training and education in the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Euro-Atlantic integration and cooperation with NATO. Minister Konakovic expressed appreciation for Bulgaria's consistent support for the European future of the Western Balkans. He briefed the President on the country's progress and the steps and reforms taken along the path of its European integration.
Radev and Konakovic highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in achieving prosperity and security against the backdrop of global and European crises, which have a direct impact on the Balkans. The more we build on our connectivity in every aspect, the more prepared our countries will be for the challenges we face, the President said. In this regard, he highlighted Bulgaria's active policy in the energy sector to develop interconnectivity with the neighbouring countries and increase energy independence in the whole region and Europe. The interconnector with Greece, commissioned last year, the agreement on free access to the terminals and the gas transmission network of the Turkish company Botas, under which the first LNG tanker arrived today, as well as the Solidarity Ring project initiated by Bulgaria to transport additional quantities of gas from Azerbaijan, have contributed in this direction. The expected opening of the gas connection with Serbia by the end of 2023 could also contribute to Bosnia and Herzegovina's energy independence, Rumen Radev added.
The prospects for deepening cooperation in the economy, the investment sector, tourism, and education were also discussed during the meeting. Minister Konakovic invited President Rumen Radev to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina in the near future.