05.07.2019
“Thank you for the amazing hosting of today’s meeting. Thank you to Germany for the existence of the Berlin Process.” This is shat Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said during the joint pressconference with Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, and the Repubic of North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev. They took part in the “Berlin Process” initiative Summit meeting in Poznan. Prime Minister Borissov expressed his hope, that he and his colleague Zoran Zaev he will hold a good presidency next year when the two countries will host the Summit meeting.
“The Western Balkans are six states, which thankfully are only enclosed by EU member states, they are inside of Europe,” emphasized the Bulgarian Prime Minister and added that efforts should be made for the preservation of peace in the region, religious tolerance, and the fight agaisnt organized cirme. “What I offered Zaev is for ecology and enviromental protection to be included in our tasks. If there is something we are proud of in the Western Balkans, that is the beautiful nature, clean air and water,” said Boyko Borissov. He was certain that it is necessary to provide a perspective for young people, which should be encouraged and stimulated to stay in the Balkans.
The Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said at the pressconference that it is expremely valuable for the countries of the European Union to share their experience with the Western Balkan states. “Where there are some historical differences, it is worth relying on economic cooperation and investment,” Morawiecki said. The Polish Prime Minister thanked Chacellor Angela Merkel for her support for the “Berlin Process” initiative and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov for the future co-chairing of the format together with the Republic of North Macedonia.
During the press conference the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel stated that the political difficulties should be overcome by everyone together. “We know from the experience of the German Confederation that bridges must be built,” also added Chancellor Merkel. She congratulated Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia for their upcoming joint presidency. The Chancellor of Germany put an emphasis on the positive development of the relations between the states of the Western Balkans, following the frequent meetings between their state leaders through the inititative of the Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov within the framework of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Coucil of the EU.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Zoran Zaev expressed his satisfaction with the progtess made in the region’s cooperation process and with the acitve work on the implementation of the infrastructure projects. Such projects really examplify the results of the Berlin Process – we are surrounded by EU member states, we are in Europe,” underlined in his statement Zoran Zaev.
