30.05.2017
Bulgaria will continue to work actively for the European perspective of the Western Balkans and for guaranteeing the stability in the region, said Prime Minister Boyko Borissov during a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia Davor Ivo Stier, who is on official visit to Bulgaria.
“For the Western Balkan countries there is no other alternative but their European and Euro-Atlantic integration,” pointed out Prime Minister Borissov and highlighted that on this issue our country has always had a consistent position. He also underlined that Bulgaria and Croatia, which are geographically and historically related to the countries from the region, understand the problems and processes on the Balkans much better and can have a leading role within the EU in achieving peace and stability in this part of the continent.
As an instrument in this respect, the Southeastern Europe Cooperation Process, which was presided by Bulgaria last year, currently – by Croatia, was also mentioned. The expectation was voiced for deepened talks among SEECP states at the forthcoming summit in the end of June to be hosted in Dubrovnik.
Borissov and Stier also discussed the cooperation between the two countries within the European Union. They agreed around the need for a common European energy policy and underlined the interest of Bulgaria and Croatia in the idea for a common European defence policy.
The Prime Minister stressed that the political dialogue between Bulgaria and Croatia in the recent years has been extremely active and expressed satisfaction that the two states have no unresolved issues. Infrastructure development was mentioned as a sphere for bilateral cooperation with particular potential. The Deputy Prime Minister Davor Ivo Stier expressed special gratitude to Bulgaria for the shared experience in EU funds absorption.
