05.07.2019
“The key word is trust – this is what we have to work for,” said Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in his speech during the “Berlin process” initiative summit meeting in Poznan.
Before the heads of state and government Prime Minister Borissov noted, that the European perspective of the Western Balkans has no other alternative. “It guarantees the security and stability of the region, the sustainable economic development, the social prosperity, and the continuation of the initiated reforms in these states,” added Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and emphasized that the EU enlargement with the six Western Balkan states remains one of the main foreign policy priorities of Bulgaria.
“It is important for us that the Western Balkans never again return to their state of conflict, hostility and nationalism, which they experienced during the 1990s,” said the Bulgarian Prime Minister. He also added that the role of the Berlin process is important in this regard and that Bulgaria welcomes the initiative for discussion of the open questions between the six states from the region in this format.
“The states of the Western Balkans should make their best effort for the development of the good relations with their neighbors from the European Union,” stressed Prime Minister Borissov. He gave the signing of the Friendship Treaty between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, which made it possible to set the pace for negotiations with the Republic of North Macedonia, as a good example of this.
“Among the contributions of the Berlin process is the connectivity program, aimed at creating conditions for economic development and promoting good neighborly relations, including through financing concrete investment projects for regional infrastructure, transportation, and energy,” specified Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in Poznan.
He pointed out that good transport and energy connections, as well as digital connectivity, improve people’s lives in the region and help make EU actions more visible.
“An interest for the whole region and for European security is the complete construction of Corridor 8, which will allow the Black sea to connect to the Adriatic Sea,” said Prime Minister Borissov. He added that Bulgaria is on a crossroad in the Balkans and this is why it will be beneficial not only for our state, but also for the whole of the EU, for gas interconnectors to be constructed between the neighboring countries in the region. They will improve the security and diversification of energy supplies in Europe.
“I hope that in the future the Berlin process will continue to be an integral part of the development of the regional economies, and to contribute to the region’s rapprochement with the EU and to a better life for the citizens of these states,” concluded Prime Minister Borissov.
