site.btaBulgarian, Serbian Deputy Foreign Ministers Discuss Bilateral Relations, Serbia's European Perspective

Bulgarian, Serbian Deputy Foreign Ministers Discuss Bilateral Relations, Serbia's European Perspective

Sofia, June 5 (BTA) - Bulgaria's Deputy Foreign Minister
Valentin Poryazov and Serbia's Assistant Minister of Foreign
Affairs (Sector for Bilateral Relations) Goran Aleksic conferred
here on Friday and discussed bilateral relations, Serbia's
European perspective and the two countries' participation in
regional initiatives, the Foreign Ministry said in a press
release.

Poryazov noted that being neighbouring countries, Bulgaria and
Serbia share not only common borders but common interests. The
development of bilateral relations depends on the level of
trust, the consistency of honouring commitments and the specific
results achieved, he noted.

According to him, intensifying contacts at the highest level
contributes to developing bilateral dialogue, which is in the
national interests of both countries. Poryazov has offered the
Serbian side for the political consultations between the two
countries' foreign ministries to become regular and combine them
with the bilateral dialogue for the different aspects of
cooperation. Security, culture, science and education, regional
development and joint energy and transport infrastructure
projects were outlined as areas for bilateral political
consultations.

Bulgaria has confirmed its support in principle for Serbia's
European integration, noting the importance of meeting the
membership criteria. "We will be a frank and open partner and we
are ready to share our experience and expertise with Serbia on
its path to the EU," the Bulgarian Foreign Minister noted.
Aleksic in turn expressed gratitude for Bulgaria's consistent
support.

Poryazov and Aleksic discussed the situation and specific
problems of the Bulgarian national minority in Serbia. They
agreed that their rights must be fully observed in accordance
with Serbia's national legislation and international
commitments.

The two agreed on the need to update and supplement the
bilateral treaty framework in a series of different areas. Both
sides confirmed their desire to sign a friendship and good
neighbourliness agreement, which can set the political
foundations for extending and deepening cooperation in
accordance with the new realities of bilateral relations.

A joint plan of action was agreed on, which would lead to
achieving specific results before the upcoming visit of Serbia's
Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic to Bulgaria. Dacic is expected to
come this fall at the invitation of Foreign Minister Daniel
Mitov. The possibilities of holding joint intergovernmental
meetings in the near future was also discussed.