Daniel Mitov: The European integration of the Western Balkans is a major priority for Bulgaria
02 September 2015 News
“The EU would never be complete without the Western Balkan countries. It is our responsibility to work with them, to create the necessary environment in which we will be able to develop common transport, energy and other infrastructure projects.” This statement was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Daniel Mitov during the Bled Strategic Forum, held in Slovenia.
It is the 10th annual gathering of the forum and it is under the moto “Visions of New Partnerships”. Bulgaria’s top diplomat participated in the panel “Western Balkans: The Region at the Centre of Geostrategic Deliberations”, emphasizing that the annual Bled meeting have become one of the best forms of dialogue on the current issues in the region.
Minister Mitov pointed out that the European integration of the Western Balkans is Bulgaria’s main priority. According to him, the European future of these countries would guarantee a sustainable democracy and will set them apart from the globally reviving totalitarian and authoritarian tendencies across the world.
The Bulgarian Foreign Minister also commented on the crucial importance of the membership of the countries from the region in the Energy Union. In the context of the changing routes of the migration flows, Minister Mitov emphasized on the necessity of the inclusion of the Western Balkans in the common European measures for coping with the problem.
“The EU is often associated with heavy procedures but they unlock many important things. These procedures are the path to reaching the common values which are shared in the European Union”, stated the Bulgarian top diplomat. He added that the EU is not the only responsible actor to apply these commitments, but the political elites of the Western Balkan countries also bare the major responsibility to apply them and, in such way, to join the EU family. “We will do everything possible to assist them on all levels. The regional formats like SEECP are an important factor as well”, Minister Mitov added.
During the Bled Strategic Forum Bulgaria’s top diplomat also held a number of working meetings, including with the President of Slovenia Borut Pahor, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Karl Erjavec, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of State Hoyt Brian Yee. During the talks Minister Mitov focused on the topics, concerning the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East and the threat coming from the so-called Islamic State and the increased migration flows.
At the meeting with the President Pahor, Minister Mitov emphasized the need to reconsider the Dublin Agreements, as well as the Readmission Agreements. According to him, more specific measures should be undertaken in order to cope with the migrant crisis in Europe. Minister Mitov suggested that there should be a more reliable mechanism to allow the distinction between refugees, needing protection, and economic migrants. Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Karl Erjavec shared similar positions regarding the situation in Syria, ISIS and the Western Balkans.
The topic of migration was at the focus of the talks between Minster Mitov and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of State Hoyt Brian Yee. “We have strong border security; at the moment we are building border facilities at the Turkish border to stop the illegal migrant flows. The Bulgarian Parliament at the initiative of the Bulgarian government undertook measures to increase criminal penalties for human trafficking. We have joined forces with all countries in an attempt to fight the illegal trafficking”, commented the Bulgarian top diplomat during the work meeting. The Foreign Minister emphasized that there is a need to address not only the consequences, but also the reasons for the increased migration.
Minister Mitov and Hoyt Yee underlined the necessity to increase the energy security of Bulgaria and the region as a whole. “The energy diversification is among the main tasks of the Bulgarian government, which is why it is our priority to diversify the sources and delivery routes”, Minister Mitov highlighted. “We consider the Southern gas corridor and the other similar projects very important” the Bulgarian diplomat added. He also underlined the importance we attach to the development of the interconnector between Bulgaria and Greece. Hoyt Yee pointed out that for the security and stability of Bulgaria of particular importance is the achievement of economic growth.
Daniel Mitov and Hoyt Yee reaffirmed their willingness to strengthen the strategic relations between Bulgaria and the US. They shared the view that the bilateral contacts between the countries should be further developed.
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