It is in the strategic interest of Bulgaria for all of the Balkans to be in the EU
15 September 2011 News
“The accession of the countries in the region to the European Union is in the strategic interest of Bulgaria. Our country has valuable experience that it gained on the road to European integration and wants to share this with its Balkan neighbours,” Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov told the Belgrade Security Forum.
“The numerous local conflicts that have torn the Balkans for decades have had a very negative impact on the entire region,” the Bulgarian Foreign Minister said.
He dwelt on the need for the development of infrastructure among the countries of the region and the need for more initiative and co-operation. “Countries in the Balkans share a common cultural and historical heritage, and this is the foundation upon which we can build. That which unites us is greater than that which divides us. The priorities must be to focus on infrastructural projects, on connecting our energy networks and on the fight against crime,” Minister Mladenov said.
The Forum was opened by the President of Serbia Boris Tadić. It brought together the foreign ministers of the Czech Republic, Hungary and representatives of the EC.