site.btaBulgarian PM Confers with Serbian and Macedonian Counterparts

Bulgarian PM Confers with Serbian and Macedonian Counterparts

Riga, November 5 (BTA) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov met with his Serbian and Macedonian counterparts Aleksandar Vucic and  Emil Dimitriev on the sidelines of the annual summit of the heads of the governments of China and 16 central and eastern European countries underway in Riga, the press office of the Bulgarian government said on Saturday.

The energy sector and joint infrastructure projects were in the focus of the talks betweem Borissov and Vucic. The two heads of government discussed the signing of the government-approved memorandum of understanding on the project for the construction of a cross-border gas interconnector. Borissov said activities related to the construction of the gas link are at an active stage and that he hoped this project will be finalised soon.

"The interconnector is strategic for Bulgarian-Serbian relations because the energy sector is key for both countries. The construction of gas links, motorways and rail tracks connecting friendly nations on the Balkans is a significant step towards our common European integration and development," Borissov said.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister informed his Serbian counterpart that the Bulgaria-Romania gas interconnector - Bulgaria's first completed intergrid link - will go live on November 11. This will turn into reality one of the key priorities of the European Energy Union - ensuring grid connectivity throughout Southeast Europe. "Bulgaria is actively pursuing the diversification of gas sources and supplies," Borissov said.

The two interconnectors are an integral part of the Bulgarian government's concept for a gas hub on the country's territory, Borissov, who received an invitation to pay an official visit to Serbia, also said.

 The Bulgarian head of government said Dimitriev  that Sofia has been consistent in its support for Macedonia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

"I am convinced that the future of all countries in the Western Balkans lies within the EU. I confirm we are ready and willing to discuss and provide assistance to Macedonia on concrete issues related to our experience so that significant headway could be made on its way to EU and NATO membership," Borissov said.

Borissov and Dimitriev concurred that good-neighborly relations require effort on both sides. The Bulgarian Prime Minister said he expected a quick solution regarding the mounting of a plaque commemorating the fallen at the Kaimakchalan peak. He stressed that Bulgarians feel the Macedonian people very close and that the historic link between the two countries should be strengthened and not weakened.

The preparations for the upcoming elections in Macedonia were also discussed. Borissov called for fair and free elections and noted that this would be a key condition for an exit from the crisis and the start of the country's return on its path towards the EU through democratic reforms. Borissov and Dimitriev concurred that resorting to hate speech during the election campaign should be firmly condemned.

"I hope you in Macedonia will be able to find common ground as expected by Europe. You realise yourselves how important the political stability on the Balkans is," Borissov said. He added this is important, including when it comes to protecting common borders against the migrant influx. The Bulgarian Prime Minister stressed the efforts of the government in Skopje to stop the refugee flows and was adamant that the neighboring countries should have a united stand on tackling the issue.