site.btaPES Leader Stanishev's Expectations from EU-Western Balkans Summit

Sofia, May 16 (BTA) - Party of European Socialists (PES) leader Sergei Stanishev expects Thursday's EU-Western Balkans Summit to give a clear sign for the Western Balkans' European perspective and to support the European Commission's (EC) strategy, presented a few months ago. He spoke during a news conference before the start of a coordination meeting between Left prime ministers and party leaders prior to the May 17 Summit in Sofia.

Stanishev noted that historically it was precisely the socialists in Europe who have supported the enlargement process and have done so successfully.

Wednesday's PES meeting in Sofia is attended by the prime ministers of Portugal, Greece and Malta, as well as three prime ministers from the Western Balkans.

Stanishev described May 16 and 17 as the peak days of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The mere fact that the topic about the Western Balkans' European future is on the European Council's agenda for the first time in 15 years is an achievement of the Bulgarian EU Presidency, Stanishev said, recalling that the last such meeting was held in Thessaloniki back in 2003.

The PES President noted that the Western Balkan countries still have many important reforms ahead of them in order to meet the membership criteria, but the EU must show a clear commitment and an action programme in support of this process.

According to Stanishev, being a new EU Member State, Bulgaria can be proud of becoming a regional leader capable of helping others on their European path. He voiced hope that next month the European Council will take specific measures for starting the negotiations with the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Albania.

Stanishev acknowledged the efforts made by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, and supported the Macedonian and Greek prime ministers' efforts to find a solution to the notorious name dispute between their countries.

According to him, PES will discuss other important global topics. "We firmly do not support the US's withdrawal from the deal with Iran, and the violence in the Gaza Strip," he went on to say.