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PRIME MINISTER BOYKO BORISSOV IN BELGRADE: THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE THAN THE EU AND OUR MEETINGS ARE ALWAYS IN LINE WITH EUROPEAN POLICIES

22.12.2018

 

"There is no better place than the European Union and our meetings are always in line with the core European policy for accession, development, prosperity, and growth in GDP and the income of the population," said Prime Minister Boyko Borissov at a briefing in Belgrade after the end of the Quadrilateral Summit of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Serbia. Boyko Borissov highlighted that the four countries have enormous development potential - both in terms of population and GDP, and therefore should not be underestimated.

 

In front of the media, Prime Minister Borissov listed all the infrastructure projects in the region on which active work is underway. "Work on the Sofia-Thessaloniki Motorway is intensive, in a year and a half the last section to the Serbian border will be ready, the railways are 10 times faster and electrified," said the Bulgarian Prime Minister. He added that the small tunnel of Shipka will be ready by August and expressed hope that two or three additional bridges will be built over the Danube to Romania.

 

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov also discussed the challenges facing Europe in terms of migration. "If something can fail the Balkans, it is this issue. Bulgaria is doing well. Greece must be helped. We need to stick together and stay united. I hope Romania will continue with this topic over the next 6 months and finish it," said the Prime Minister. He outlined the enormous potential of the four countries, and said that they would accept everyone working for a better European future. "Europe and the world need positive role models of peace and understanding, and we should solve our problems with diplomacy and in a tolerant tone because our potential and development are great," said Prime Minister Borissov. He also underlined that, with regard to the energy projects, we continue to work actively and we must also stand as one team.

 

Serbian President Alexander Vucic thanked Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his team for investing a great deal of effort in the European perspective and connectivity of the Western Balkans. Vucic stressed that the EU must continue with the integration of Serbia and the Western Balkan countries. He took a detailed look at the infrastructure and energy projects that are crucial to the entire region and Europe.

 

"We would like to have better connectivity among our countries and to have much more contacts with our friendly countries," said Romania's Prime Minister Viorica Dancila. She pointed out that they have agreed with Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on a meeting between the two governments, whereby the realization of many projects, such as bridges over the Danube, navigation, and the adoption of all necessary measures for their implementation will be discussed.

 

"Our format shows that the Balkans are a place that can contribute to the European agenda and that ours is not a second-class region," said Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. He underlined that the focus is on the economic prosperity, which goes through the enlargement of the European project. "The Bulgarian Presidency has again made it possible to put on the table again the Thessaloniki agenda, which was set in 2003," Tsipras concluded.