BG

PRIME MINISTER BORISSOV IN ALBANIA: THE MORE CONNECTED WE ARE, THE GREATER THE PROSPECTS FOR PEACE AND INVESTMENT

04.06.2018

 

"The more connected we are regionally, the greater the prospects for investment, peace, and prosperity," said Prime Minister Boyko Borissov at a joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana. According to Borissov, relations between the countries of the Western Balkans should become excellent in order to achieve lasting stability and security. "On the Balkans, if one of the neighbors is in a bad situation, the situation for all becomes bad and vice versa. And here the magic word is Corridor №8," the Bulgarian Prime Minister noted. In his view, the implementation of the project that will connect Asia and Europe through Sofia, Skopje, Tirana, and Italy will transform the region. Boyko Borissov expressed his hope that the Balkans will soon have a new modern railway and digital infrastructure.

 

The Bulgarian Prime Minister also said that our country will continue to work actively for the European integration of the Western Balkan countries and that Albania should be given a timeline and a roadmap for accession to the European Union. Prime Minister Borissov defined as a positive step the adoption of the Minorities Act in Albania, which provided impetus for the European integration of the country. "These people can serve as a bridge between our peoples and create a better partnership between our countries," added Prime Minister Borissov.

 

Albanian Prime Minister Rama thanked Boyko Borissov not only for having included the topic of the Western Balkans as a priority for the Bulgarian Presidency but also for his role as a defender of the right to development of Albania and Kosovo. "This is why I awarded him the Medal of Recognition, which will be serve as a token of remembrance for his exceptional contribution," Rama said.

 

Earlier today in Tirana, the two Heads of Government attended the Aqaba Meeting for the Balkans. The forum is organized under the patronage of the King of Jordan and is held outside the Kingdom for the first time this year. According to Boyko Borissov, close coordination is needed between the security services in the fight against radicalization and the spread of extremist ideologies, as well as a more intensive exchange of information. "The most important place where terrorism is ticking is in the heads of people. This is much more dangerous than a ticking bomb as such. And this is the battle we have lost," the Prime Minister said. He pointed out that an anti-terrorism coordination center will be set up in Albania, where specialized services will be able to work more actively and react more rapidly if needed.