26.05.2018
If we fail to guarantee that the topic of the Western Balkans remains on the agenda of the European Union, then the summit in Sofia was just a good meeting. We must do our best to prevent a conflict like the one in former Yugoslavia. These are our Balkans, our Europe, and that is why we have to employ enormous efforts. Thus, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov commented on the persistence with which the Bulgarian Presidency was directly engaged in the process of integrating the countries from the region in Europe by increasing connectivity, economic growth, and resolving bilateral conflicts.
He pointed out that he discussed the subject with Pope Francis during his audience yesterday, when the Pope also accepted to visit Bulgaria, Romania and, if possible, another country in the region with the core purpose of sending a message of peace and understanding.
We started solving the problems in Sofia and we are counting on Croatia to continue the process, Borissov said. "We can get a lot of work done together," he said, stressing that he and his colleague Plenkovic support each other in discussions within the European Council, as well as in respect to the topics that concern common issues in the region.
At a press conference after the meeting with the Croatian Prime Minister on whose invitation he is on a visit to Zagreb, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov stressed that dialogue could lead to understanding, even between countries with longstanding bilateral problems. He gave the example of the new stage in the relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia and mentioned the most recent joint commemoration that brought together the two countries - paying tribute in Rome to the work of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius.
Borissov also thanked for the opportunity of unveiling a monument of the Patriarch of Bulgarian literature Ivan Vazov in the Croatian capital, which is yet another symbol of the closeness between our countries and peoples, only a few days after the celebration of the Day of Bulgarian Education and Culture and the Cyrillic Alphabet.
Prime Minister Plenkovic congratulated Prime Minister Borissov on the Summit in Sofia, which brought to the table the topic of the Western Balkans after a 15-year-long pause. "It sent a message to all of our neighboring countries to continue with the reforms and, together with us, to build connectivity - transport, digital, infrastructure," the Croatian Prime Minister said.
He noted the wonderful political and economic relations between Croatia and Bulgaria and highlighted that the cooperation for the accession of the two countries to the Schengen area and the Eurozone will continue.
