Bulgaria and Greece share common responsibilities for the European future of the Western Balkans
04 July 2013 News
“I am happy that the good neighbourly relations and strategic partnership that has been built up between Bulgaria and Greece continue to develop actively. This government will work to give of its best in this regard,” Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin said at a meeting with Greek Ambassador Thrasyvoulos Stamatopoulos
“Bulgaria and Greece have common responsibilities for the development of the Western Balkans. Croatia's membership in the EU, as well as the efforts of Serbia and Kosovo are a positive sign for the European perspective of the region and an incentive to continue with the necessary reforms,” Minister Vigenin said. I am sure that Greece will continue to support the process of European integration of the Western Balkan countries, he added.
Bulgaria and Greece are important strategic and economic partners, Ambassador Stamatopoulos said. We are an example of two neighbouring countries that have built an excellent partnership with each other and must continue to work together to achieve the European perspectives of the Western Balkans, he said.
At the meeting, Minister Vigenin and Ambassador Stamatopoulos also discussed possibilities for co-operation within the EU, including in connection with the forthcoming Greek Presidency of the European Union and the development of business relations between the two countries. "Greece is one of our major trading partners in the EU. Economic relations are a priority for this government, and it will work actively to improve the business climate and attract foreign investors,” Kristian Vigenin said.
Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister congratulated Ambassador Stamatopoulos, who in August 2013 will serve as Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy of NATO. "Your appointment is a success for Bulgaria because it is the Greek Ambassador to Bulgaria who will take up this important said," Minister Vigenin said, and wished him success.