Courage and leadership are needed for the Western Balkans to go forward
11 April 2012 News
The enlargement of the European Union to the Western Balkans is key in the national interests of Bulgaria, because all current issues among the countries of the region can be resolved successfully within the context of Bulgaria’s neighbours joining the European family.
This was said by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov at a joint news conference with Teuta Arifi, Deputy Prime Minister of Macedonia, who was on an official visit to Sofia.
“We must not allow the past to guide us and must do everything possible so that our relations in the region develop in the context of EU membership. We need courage and leadership to lead the region forward,” Minister Mladenov said.
Bulgaria can help its neighbours’ European integration by sharing specific expertise and practical support throughout the pre-accession process, and subsequently, in working with European projects, the establishment of institutions for co-ordinating the shaping of European policies and in the creation of professional human resources to work with them, Minister Mladenov said.
For Bulgaria, the leading priority is the implementation of Corridor 8. Rapid development of this project is important not only for the economies and tourism industries of Bulgaria and Macedonia, but also is a good example of a relationship of active co-operation between two countries in the Balkans, the Foreign Minister said.
Mrs Arifi said that there were great opportunities for co-operation between the two countries in transport, education and communication. She thanked Bulgaria for its active support for Macedonia's European perspectives, emphasising that the practical experience of Bulgaria in this respect is very valuable. She said that it was important that countries in the region support the process of Euro-Atlantic integration, because it holds out the best prospect for their common future.