Bulgaria supports the integration of Serbia and Kosovo
24 February 2012 News
Serbia and Kosovo continue to move forward in the process of European integration
Serbia's achievements in implementing reforms and in the implementation of its international obligations are clear proof that the country deserves to move forward in the process of European integration and that it deserves to obtain candidate status for EU membership.
This was said in a letter from the foreign ministers of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia to EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Stefan Fule, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy.
Granting EU candidate country status to Serbia would be a further clear sign of the EU’s strong commitment to the expansion process continuing for the countries of the Western Balkans, the letter says.
This crucial step would be a strong incentive to completing the process of reforms and to guaranteing that Serbia is proceeding in the direction of full EU membership.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov welcomed the agreement signed today between Belgrade and Pristina on Kosovo's regional representation and on the joint management of border crossings.
"This step opens the way for Kosovo to the conclusion of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement and, simultaneously, to a contribution to security in the Western Balkans," Minister Mladenov said.