Bulgaria’s PM Borissov Held Meetings with Western Balkans Leaders

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov held bilateral meetings with leaders of the Western Balkan countries following the opening of the Vienna Economic Forum in Sofia on 18^th of May, the government's press office announced.

Prime Ministers of Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo: Anna Burnabich, Zoran Zaev, Dusko Markovic, Edi Rama and Ramush Haradinaj agreed that yesterday's meeting with EU leaders gave strong support from member states for the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

The leaders thanked for Bulgaria's efforts and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's personal commitment in raising the long-delayed topic of the Western Balkans.

Positive assessment of the outcome of the meeting was given during the talks, and the Sofia Declaration was described as a good basis and prerequisite for the irreversibility of the European path of the countries from the region.

At the meeting between Prime Ministers Borissov and Burnabich, the focus was on the importance and the effects of the implementation of Balkan Connectivity projects. It was pointed out that new infrastructure, transport corridors and good digital connectivity are key not only for the six countries in the region but also for the development of the whole continent.

Opportunities for the implementation of the projects were also discussed with Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj. Prime Minister Borissov stressed that connectivity, the good economy and raising the standard of living for the people in the region will bring peace.

"The peace of the Balkans is extremely important for Europe, and we all have to work for understanding among peoples," Borissov said. He also pointed out that there are no small and big states in the Balkans, and it is most important to boost the GDP of the entire region.

"Bulgaria is a good example for us and we are following what you are doing," said Ramush Haradinaj.

During a meeting between Boyko Borissov and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, it was stated that last year's Good Neighbourly Relations Agreement signed between the two countries has stimulated the interest and the process of building trust in the region.