Position of the MFA on the recommendations of the EC on the development of the EU enlargement policy and the annual progress reports on the Western Balkan countries and Turkey
18 October 2013 News
The European Commission published on October 16 the recommendations for the development of the enlargement policy of the European Union for the next year and the annual progress reports on the Western Balkan countries and Turkey. The document confirms the benefits of the enlargement policy and the clear European perspective of the countries from the enlargement process.
Bulgaria has always been consistent in its support for the European future of the countries from the region. We believe that the European integration is the only true path to prosperity, security and stability.
We express our commitment to continue to support the efforts of our neighbors and friends, noting that their progress towards membership depends mostly on their own will and ability to adopt the values on which the European Union isbased, as well as to meet the necessary criteria.
We emphasize that maintaining good neighborly relations is an important indicator of the eagerness to adopt the EU values and principles.The strategy paper of the EC noted the importance of regional cooperation and good neighborly relations, which are essential elements of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
We welcome the achievements of the countries from the enlargement process made during the past year. The progress has been uneven, as countries in the region are facing key challenges, including the implementation of the rule of law, maintaining good neighborly relations and developing regional cooperation, democratic functioning of the institutions, respect for the fundamental rights, implementing the necessary economic reforms. We expect the efforts on the path towards EU accession to continue.