Bulgaria and Serbia are committed to continue the intensive political dialogue
23 January 2014 News
The relations between Bulgaria and Serbia have never been at the level of such an intense political dialogue. Today's meeting is a continuation of this dialogue, and enables us to plan the next steps to enrich our cooperation. That was said by Kristian Vigenin at the joint press conference with his Serbian counterpart Ivan Mrkić who is on an official visit to Sofia at the invitation of the Bulgarian foreign minister.
"Bulgaria and Serbia have a complex history that binds us for centuries," said in turn Minister Mrkić, adding that both countries have also joint future. "Those values that bind the entire European Union will also lead us," he said.
Minister Vigenin congratulated his guest on the official start of negotiations between Serbia and the EU. “Bulgaria is ready to provide technical and expert support in this process," he said. In this regard, we will prepare a new Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of European integration, which will enable our country to provide the necessary assistance to specific negotiation chapters. Both the positive and the negative experience is important, so we can help Serbia avoid some of the mistakes we have made, added the Bulgarian Foreign Minister.
Minister Ivan Mrkićemphasized that the Serbian government is very determined and hopes to swiftly achieve full EU membership. In his words, Bulgaria's support is valuable because as a new member state, it has renewed expertise in the negotiation process. Whenever we need, we will seek advice from Sofia, he said.
At today's talks, the two foreign ministers discussed the possibility of conducting an intergovernmental meeting within which to sign a number of agreements to resume legal basis between Bulgaria and Serbia. In late February, a meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation will be held, agreed Kristian Vigenin and Ivan Mrkić.
The work on the signing of the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Good Neighbourly Relations is also ongoing. Negotiations are at an advanced stage, there are no significant contradictions and I hope that they will be finalized soon, said Kristian Vigenin. The opportunities for expanding the bilateral economic cooperation, focusing on common interests in the field of energy, was among the topics of the discussion between Minister Vigenin and Minister Mrkić. "We discussed the preparation of the implementation of the "South Stream" project, which is of great importance for both sides," said the Bulgarian top diplomat.
On the occasion of the 135th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Serbia, which is marked in 2014, the foreign ministers adopted a joint statement. It is a testament to the joint effort of both parties to continue to build and develop friendly and good neighborly relations based on shared European values and principles.
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