Caretaker Prime Minister: Bulgaria actively works for the successful European integration of the Western Balkan countries

Inclusive regional cooperation in Southeast Europe is Bulgaria's top foreign policy priority, caretaker Prime Minister Galab Donev said in his speech at the Berlin Process Summit of the Heads of State of the Western Balkan countries on November 3. In his words, this complements and builds on the process of European integration, supports democratisation and development and strengthens the stability and security of the region.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister said that our country is committed and actively works with the countries of the region for their successful European integration on the basis of their own merits.

"Following the basic principles of good neighbourliness, inclusiveness, mutual understanding and reconciliation, we can contribute to achieving our common goal of a prosperous, stable and secure Europe," the caretaker PM said.

The energy security challenges facing us can only be overcome and the energy transition achieved through enhanced regional cooperation, caretaker Prime Minister Galab Donev said in the framework of the working session on "Security of Energy Supply and Transition".

The Prime Minister highlighted the key role of the Greece-Bulgaria gas interconnector in diversifying gas sources, improving security and flexibility of supply, and promoting competition for the benefit of the end user. He also noted with satisfaction the progress in the construction of the Bulgaria-Serbia gas interconnector, which is also of strategic importance.

In his speech he also focused on the contract signed at the beginning of this week between Bulgartransgaz and the state company of the Republic of North Macedonia "GA-MA" for the construction of a new interconnector. In this regard, the caretaker Prime Minister highlighted Bulgaria's efforts to provide institutional support to our neighbour to overcome energy shortages, recalling also that our country is traditionally a net exporter of electricity and plays a key role in the energy security of the countries in the region.

"We pay due attention to infrastructure connectivity," Prime Minister Gulub Donev further said and noted that the construction of Corridor 8 is of strategic importance for the connectivity and development of trade in the region, but also in the context of the security of the Western Balkans and the European Union.

During his speech, Galab Donev confirmed the readiness of the Bulgarian state to assist the Western Balkan partners in achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal, also reflected in the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

"We remain firmly committed to bilateral and regional cooperation with all our neighbours in this and other areas," he added.

Donev highlighted the Berlin Process as a well-functioning and comprehensive format for cooperation, with a significant contribution to the economic development of the Western Balkan countries and expressed support for the idea, put forward by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, that the Berlin Process should go "under the governance" of the Western Balkan countries. At the same time, he wished Albania success in its decision to be the next chair of the Berlin Process.