site.btaPM Borissov in Podgorica: The Balkans Can Be a Powerful Economic Area

111 - POLITICS - BULGARIA - MONTENEGRO - PM

PM Borissov in Podgorica: The Balkans
Can Be a Powerful
Economic Area


Podgorica, September 3 (BTA) - Speaking at a news conference he held with Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic in the Montenegrin capital of Podgorica, visiting Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said the Balkans have the capacity of turning into a powerful economic area and one way of achieving this is by
repaying partly the loans that international financial institutions could provide for connectivity in the Balkans, with the receipts from toll systems and having uniform charges for using roads in the region.

Borissov said, as quoted by the government information service: "At some risks and with great will, we have achieved considerable results in the Eurointegration of the Balkans. I believe that Montenegro has strong chances."

He urged Podgorica to step up its efforts in order to close two more chapters in the pre-accession process.

It also transpired from his remarks that the two countries will set up a joint company for transmission of electricity. "I believe it is going to be a successful project. I hope that we will organize an economic forum in the coming months to pave the way for the establishment of such a structure," said Borissov.

He said it is going to be a Balkan project where all countries will be free to join.

Borissov said that all countries along the external EU border should make an effort to deal with the migration wave. "Bulgaria has done it: we have build a fence, use lots of equipment, video cameras - and we have zero migration."

Prime Minister Markovic thanked for Bulgaria's efforts to put the European prospects of the Western Balkans in the focus of EU debate. He assessed positively the results of the meetings held during the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister was decorated with the Order of Montenegro with ribbon by President Milo Djukanovic. The highest state honour was presented to him as a token of gratitude for his consistent efforts and support for the European prospects of Montenegro, said the government press office.

During the presenting ceremony, President Djukanovic said: "The friendship and support that Boyko Borissov offered us is much longer than the 12 years of independence of Montenegro. Boyko Borissov, in his capacity as Prime Minister, left his mark on bilateral relations." RY/LN/