site.bta Foreign Ministers of Bulgaria, Albania Sign Memorandum of Cooperation in European Integration

Foreign Ministers of Bulgaria, Albania Sign Memorandum of Cooperation in European Integration

Sofia, May 17 (BTA) - The foreign ministers of Bulgaria and Albania, Daniel Mitov and Ditmir Bushati, signed an intergovernmental memorandum of cooperation in the area of European integration.

On Tuesday Bushati opened a two-day official visit to Sofia.

Speaking at a news conference after the signing ceremony, Mitov said that the document gives a new impetus to the relations between the two countries.

The Bulgarian Foreign Minister also noted the serious work within the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), saying that issues such as connectivity - energy and transport, are among the main topics of the agenda. Mitov said that during Bulgaria's Chairmanship-in-Office of the SEECP, priorities were laid down to blaze a trail for a deeper integration of the Western Balkans in the EU.

Bushati said that the answer to the question about the crises or the internal dynamics of the region should be "more Europe and more NATO".

Taking a question, the guest said that Montenegro's accession to NATO is a wise step which would contribute to the greater stability of the region. Bushati voiced a hope that this would reduce the influence of the so-called third players in the region. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister too stressed the significance for the security of the region of Montenegro's accession to NATO.

Bushati said also that both Bulgaria and Albania have an interest in a stable and democratic Macedonia, stressing the need for political dialogue there.

Macedonia is welcome to join NATO, the Albanian Foreign Minister said, adding that there are criteria that have been laid down back at the NATO summit in Bucharest.