site.btaPM Borissov Is Special Guest at Mostar Fair

Mostar, April 10 (BTA) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who is a special guest at the Mostar Fair, talked with Dragan Covic, the Croat member of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Presidency, and with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

After meeting with Dragan Covic on Monday, Borissov ruled out a self-seeking approach in the Balkans because a problem in any country affects the other countries. He said: "In this very important election year for Bosnia and Herzegovina we will try to support the State's unity. "

Covic, who is hosting the 21st International Economy Fair in Mostar, said he was confident that there is no alternative to his country's progress towards Euro-Atlantic membership.

Borissov and Covic concurred that there is room for the development of bilateral relations. They discussed the Euro-Atlantic perspective of the countries of the region and economic and infrastructure development.

After meeting with President Vucic on Tuesday, Borissov urged the leaders of all the Balkan countries to show good reason in the face of provocations, which are becoming increasingly frequent.

The two discussed the situation in the region and the progress of infrastructure projects which ensure connectivity between the region and the rest of Europe, the government information service said.

Talking at a joint news conference with the Serbian President, Borissov said that the economy and investments were growing in the last few years. "There is one thing I am absolutely sure of: the EU wants peace and prosperity in the Balkans. As to the other major international players, I hope they also do so," he said.

However, provocations and conflicts in the region have recently caused concern to all, said Borissov. "The mood is not optimistic, there is a premonition of something bad about to happen, which was not the case until a few months ago," said Borissov, referring to incidents and angry exchanges between Serbia and Kosovo, the lack of agreement on changes in the election legislation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the tension over Cyprus and Greece, and the war in Syria. He hailed President Vucic's efforts to keep the calm in the negotiation process with Pristina and to maintain peace. "I strongly hope that Kosovo will carry on in the same spirit," said Borissov, adding that he would discuss the topic with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci.

Vucic was adamant that Serbia is in favour of peace and stability in the region and will continue to seek a compromise in solving the problems between Belgrade and Pristina. The Serbian President added that he would ask the international community to intervene for preserving peace in the region.

Borissov said he was optimistic that the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia would take place, although some countries have not recognized Kosovo.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister is a special guest at the Mostar Fair, which aims to boost economic development through meetings between businesses of the region and global companies. It is attended by political leaders of the Western Balkans countries, with whom Borissov will hold meetings.