site.btaBulgarian Prime Minister Talks with Croatian Foreign Minister

Bulgarian Prime Minister
Talks with Croatian
Foreign Minister


Sofia, May 30 (BTA) - Bulgaria will continue to work actively for the European future of the Western Balkans and to ensure the stability of the region, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Davor Ivo Stier on Tuesday during the latter's official visit to Bulgaria.

Borissov said: "For the Western Balkan countries there is no alternative to their European and Euro-Atlantic integration." He noted that Sofia has been consistent in maintaining this view. He believes that, being Balkan nations, Bulgaria and Croatia are very well aware of the problems and the processes in this part of the world and can play a leading role in the EU for achieving peace and stability in the region.

One relevant instrument is the South-East European Cooperation Process, which was chaired by Bulgaria last year and is led by Croatia this year, the two officials agreed.

Borissov and Stier discussed their countries' cooperation within the EU. They concurred on the need for a common European energy policy and stressed that Sofia and Zagreb also have an interest in a common European defence policy.

The sides identified infrastructure as a promising area of bilateral cooperation. PK/VE

/СН/