BG

BORISSOV: NOW IS THE TIME FOR WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR DESIRE FOR DEVELOPMENT

24.04.2018

The European perspective for our region has no alternative, and the South-East European Cooperation Process remains the leading political format for an open and fair discussion on the important issues for us. This was highlighted by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in his speech at the SEECP Summit in Brno at Kranj, which is to recap the progress achieved during the Slovenian Presidency of the Initiative.

 
Borissov reminded about the commitment made last year at the meeting of the SEECP in Dubrovnik that the Western Balkans will be placed high on the priorities' list of the EU during the Bulgarian Presidency. He underlined the fact that the past four months have made the topic salient in all Member States, involving both European institutions and international financial organizations. Agreement has also been reached that this will remain within the focus of the next presidencies of the EU Council.

 
Our desire is to use the opportunity to make the process of European integration for the Western Balkan countries irreversible. We expect the meeting in Sofia on May 17 to be a token for their European perspective, for deepening economic integration, regional cooperation and for building the connectivity much needed for our countries, the Prime Minister said. He reiterated the key role of regional cooperation and good neighborly relations for progress in the economic, political and security fields. "It will depend on us to use the opportunities that appear in front of us. Now is the time for the countries of the Western Balkans to demonstrate their desire for development," Borissov said.

 

The Bulgarian Prime Minister welcomed the EC Strategy for the Western Balkans and the readiness to start accession negotiations with Tirana and Skopje, but clearly underlined that the European perspective should be for all countries on the Balkans. "There is no other way to achieve common goals and offer our citizens security and better prospects for development, we need to meet the challenges of a changing world together and united," the Prime Minister said, calling for more pragmatism in relations between countries from the SEECP and the EU. Borissov highlighted the role of the SEECP Regional Cooperation Council in this process, noting its contribution to the reform and development efforts in Southeast Europe.