site.btaBulgaria to Share with Bosnia and Herzegovina Experience in EU Programmes, Mechanisms Management, Planning and Implementation

Bulgaria to Share with Bosnia and Herzegovina Experience in EU Programmes, Mechanisms
Management, Planning and Implementation

Sarajevo, April 22 (BTA Special Correspondent Asen Boyadjiev) -
"We will share our ample experience in managing, planning and
successfully implementing EU programmes and mechanisms. We will
insists on the consistent and unconditional preservation of the
full amount of financial support for Bosnia and Herzegovina from
the pre-accession instruments," Bulgarian President Rosen
Plevneliev said here on Wednesday at a joint news conference
with the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Mladen Ivanic, in the presence of the two other Presidency
members, Dragan Covic and Bakir Izetbegovic.

Earlier in the day, the head of State arrived in Sarajevo on a
two-day official visit.

"We will also seek additional sources of financing from EU
institutions and instruments," Plevneliev added. He recalled
that Bulgaria was among the first countries that provided
financial assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina for the
mitigation of the effects of severe flooding last year. "This
was a clear sign of solidarity and empathy by the Bulgarian
people," he pointed out.

The guest described Bosnia and Herzegovina as "an important
partner and friend of Bulgaria in the region." He added that
"Bulgaria unswervingly and consistently backs the policy of EU
enlargement and the European perspective of the Western
Balkans."

In his words, Bulgarian companies will be encouraged to invest
and trade with Bosnian companies. Bulgarian producers of
pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and foods and such experienced in
construction, energy and transport infrastructure have already
showed serious interest in cooperation. Plevneliev said that a
bilateral agreement on reciprocal investment protection will be
signed soon, opening up an opportunity for Bulgarian corporate
investment on a more massive scale. He added that the two
countries will plan and implement together joint transport and
energy infrastructure projects.

"We discussed the Ukrainian crisis, the crises in the South. We
want to be united so as to be able to guarantee stability and
development in the Balkans," the President pointed out. "The
NATO and EU integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina and all
countries in the Western Balkans will resolutely improve
stability and security," he argued. "The Western Balkans are of
strategic importance for both the EU and NATO," he added.

"We remain firmly committed to the European integration process,
and we are grateful for Bulgaria's consistent support," Ivanic
said. Asked how Bulgaria can help Bosnia and Herzegovina in the
process of its European integration, he noted that Bulgaria is
one of the countries with a resolute position regarding the aid
for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and EU Commissioner Kristalina
Georgieva practically acts as EU finance minister when she
visits Bosnia. "This is precisely what we expect: that once it
carries out the reforms, Bosnia and Herzegovina will get
financial assistance," the Chairman of the Presidency said. He
said their citizens expect to see a tangible major example of an
infrastructure project that they can identify with the EU.
Ivanic is convinced that when they do their part of the job,
Bulgaria will support them in every respect at the EU
institutions. As another example of specific assistance, he said
they rely on Bulgaria for facilitating the export of Bosnian
meat products to Turkey through the Bulgarian railway system.

Plevneliev said that the two countries will shortly sign a
memorandum of cooperation in European and Euro-Atlantic
integration.

Approached for comment on the deterioration of the situation in
Macedonia, and more specifically on the tensions between
Macedonia and Kosovo, the Bulgarian head of State noted that
Bulgaria was the EU Member State that first highlighted the
importance of respecting the principle of goodneighbourliness in
the process of EU integration of each one of the countries in
the Western Balkans.

On Thursday, Plevneliev will visit Camp Butmir near Sarajevo for
talks with the command of the EU military operation in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, EUFOR ALTHEA, and for a meeting with the
members of the Bulgarian contingent.