Deputy Minister Rumen Alexandrov received Albania's Chief Negotiator with the EU
01 June 2021 News
Albania's progress on the road to the European Union was discussed at the Foreign Ministry by Deputy Foreign Minister Rumen Alexandrov and Albania's State Minister in the Government, Chief Negotiator with the EU, Ambassador Zef Mazi. The visit is part of Ambassador Zef Mazi's tour of the capitals of the EU member states.
"European integration of the countries of the Western Balkans has always been and continues to be a top priority for Bulgaria," said Deputy Minister Rumen Alexandrov, recalling the efforts of our country to return the topic to the EU focus during the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2018
He added that Bulgaria continues to be a consistent supporter of Albania's European perspective, and has repeatedly stated its support for the country's negotiating framework. "Albania is one of the most pro-European candidate countries.
We highly appreciate the constructive approach and the results achieved so far by Albania on its European path with the implementation of important reforms in a number of key areas,“ said the Deputy Foreign Minister, adding that for Bulgaria, the leading principle in the EU accession process remains the one of the own merits of each candidate country.
On his part, Ambassador Zef Mazi thanked Bulgaria for its consistent support and stressed that Albania greatly appreciates the efforts and assistance of the Bulgarian state. He added that his country remains seriously focused on the process of reforms it needs to implement which are in line with EU requirements.
"For Bulgaria, Albania is a strategic partner and a good friend. The relations between our two countries are excellent,“ said Deputy Minister Rumen Alexandrov. In this context, he stressed the role of the Bulgarian national minority in Albania as a natural bridge for the development of relations between the two countries and a factor for expanding and strengthening the mutual trust that Bulgaria and Albania have built over the years.
In the context of the current state of the EU enlargement process, the meeting presented key elements of the Bulgarian position on the start of EU accession negotiations with the Republic of Northern Macedonia, reaffirming the position of our country on the need to ensure clear legal guarantees within the negotiation process for the implementation of the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation between Bulgaria and the Republic of Northern Macedonia.