24.04.2018
The management of the migrant crisis and the relations among the Balkan countries were the highlights of the meeting between Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Prime Minister Miroslav Cerar. The two spoke prior to the Summit of the Southeast European Cooperation Process, whose rotating Presidency is held by Slovenia.
Miroslav Cerar defined Bulgaria as having a key role in common European efforts to tackle the refugee issues. He pointed out that our country is an example for managing the migratory pressure and protecting the European Union's external border. In this context, Borissov informed his Slovenian counterpart about the results of the EU-Turkey summit from 26 March and stressed that dialogue was crucial in addressing this issue. "Turkey is our neighbor and we always strive for a pragmatic relationship. The agreement with Ankara must be respected in order to solve the migration problem," Borissov added.
Prime Minister Borissov said that dialogue and good neighbourly relations are crucial conditions for strengthening stability, achieving economic growth, and for the successful development of the countries in the region. "Without investment, with no connectivity, the Balkans will remain isolated. I am convinced that what we all need is to develop infrastructure, digital connectivity, the economy. Where there are investements, from various sources, there are no wars," Borissov said. The two Prime Ministers expressed the common opinion that the implementation of the joint projects could be an incentive to improve the relations among the Balkan countries and the relations with EU countries. The Slovenian Prime Minister gave full support to Bulgaria's efforts to achieve connectivity in the region and personally thanked Boyko Borissov for his commitment to the European perspective for the Western Balkan countries. "And like you, I believe that the path for these countries is the one of European integration. For us, for me, you are a factor for stability in the Balkans," said Miroslav Cerar.
During the meeting, the deepening of economic contacts between Bulgaria and Slovenia was also discussed. A positive step is the opening of the first direct air line between Ljubljana and Sofia. In general, this transport link will help boost business contacts and increase tourist flow. Emphasis was also placed on the need to find ways to increase the investment interest between the two countries. The resumption of the activities of the Bulgarian-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as organizing joint events with the participation of the business and sectoral organizations were identified as opportunities in this respect.
