President Radev: Bulgaria and Albania are not just allies, we are friends

president radev bulgaria albania not just allies friends

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от БНТ

17:43, 05.04.2022

The President of the Republic of Albania Ilir Meta is on a two-day official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart Rumen Radev. The two presidents spoke at a briefing after their meeting on April 5.

Bulgaria and Albania are not just allies, we are partners, friends. The Bulgarian minority in the Republic of Albania also makes a significant contribution to this, President Radev said.

Our countries share a common vision for the future of our region, based on the principle of good-neighbourliness, of following the principles of the European Union and NATO.

The Head of State acknowledged as positive the fact that there is now a direct flight connection between Sofia and Tirana.

An important part of our dialogue was the strengthening of the security in the region, and I welcome Albania's readiness to join the multinational battle group. We expect the platoon to arrive in Bulgaria soon and to be fully integrated into this battle group.

Bulgaria supports the opening of EU accession negotiations with the Republic of Albania without conditions. He acknowledged the deep reforms that Albania has undertaken, with perseverance and clear focus in all important areas. Bulgaria has always been a key driver of the enlargement process towards the Western Balkans, the Head of State said.

The two condemned the fratricidal war in Ukraine and called for an independent international investigation into the atrocities in Bucha.

We also discussed the strategic project "Corridor 8". There is a delay, but what we have started - the memorandum signed between Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Albania to consider this project in unity - is key. The crisis has shown that this project is important for security, Rumen Radev said.

I am also here to return the gesture for your visit after the severe earthquake. Your support was important to us. Sofia is a dear city for all Albanians. It has been home to many of our renaissance people. From Sofia they inspired and prepared the independence of Albania, said Ilir Meta, President of Albania.

Now there are hundreds of students from Albania who have studied and are studying in Bulgaria.

It is important to strengthen our partnership and security. We are close to Bulgaria as never before and we welcome all the efforts your country is making as an important member of NATO.

We fully support Ukraine's sovereignty, we condemn the barbaric crimes known to all, which must be investigated internationally, and we are in favour of resolving all issues. We also want to show our commitment to our European and Euro-Atlantic orientation. The stability of the Western Balkans is important for us, and also for Bulgaria, which as a country is committed to the progress of our region in this direction.

"Thank you for the support you are giving us to start EU membership negotiations, both for Albania and for North Macedonia, this is a useful strategic approach", the Albanian president further said.

"All minorities in Albania are protected, as well as the Bulgarian one, and everything is done to make them proud of their identity and to make sure that they are always well integrated and supported by all institutions," Meta added.