Minister Ivan Kondov: Europe's strength lies in our unity and unification
17 May 2023 News
The Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2018 has given a strong impetus to the European integration of the Western Balkan countries, but the enlargement policy should not be seen as an automatic means to tackle the political, economic and social challenges in the region. It can only offer transformative power by triggering large-scale democratic reforms in the best interests of citizens. This was underlined by Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivan Kondov at the opening of today's international forum in Sofia ‘EU meets the Balkans’.
The event, organised by the European Liberal Forum in cooperation with ALDE and the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria, brought together for the second consecutive year senior EU officials, current and former ministers from the region, diplomats, public figures, analysts and others. The Forum focused on the challenges and the future of the European enlargement policy — 50 years after the first EU enlargement and in the context of new realities and security threats.
Minister Kondov highlighted the important positive developments in the region, including the start of accession negotiations with Albania, the holding of the first intergovernmental conference to launch the opening phase of negotiations with the Republic of North Macedonia, the granting of candidate country status to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens.
At the same time, he highlighted concerning setbacks in the key areas of the rule of law, media freedom and human rights. The Minister expressed the view that the legacy of the past creates vulnerabilities that make it difficult to join the EU agenda. ‘There is widespread misinformation, anti-EU propaganda, so we must uphold media freedom, human rights and we must fight hate speech,’ Kondov said. He gave the example of the treatment of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia: ‘For example, Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia face many obstacles: from the closure of their associations to the lack of adequate investigation of attacks against them, as well as accusations against their leaders.’
The forum extended beyond the Balkans, analysing the European perspective of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia.
‘Bulgaria unwaveringly supports the European perspective of the Western Balkans as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia. Minister Kondov called for concentrating all available EU instruments to strengthen the resilience and capacity building of the Western Balkan countries, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia.
He also reviewed the strategic infrastructure projects in which Bulgaria is actively involved and which help to build resilience and connectivity.
Ivan Kondov also touched upon the issue of Türkiye, which is also a candidate country for EU membership and a major partner of the Union in many areas, including migration. He expressed hope that a more positive agenda would be set in the EU for Türkiye. He also noted that we have many good examples of cooperation in the field of energy supply. Kondov also listed projects in which Bulgaria, Romania and Greece are cooperating.
The strength of Europe depends on our unity, the Bulgarian first diplomat concluded.
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In the framework of this year's ‘EU meets the Balkans’ forum, Minister Kondov held a meeting with the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Policy, Olivér Várhelyi. Recent developments in EU relations with the Western Balkans, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia were discussed. Minister Kondov reaffirmed Bulgaria's consistent support for the European perspective of these countries on the basis of their own merits in meeting the established conditions, which would contribute to their economic and social development and to guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
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