site.btaPresident Plevneliev Meets Western Balkan State Leaders

President Plevneliev Meets Western Balkan State Leaders

Sofia, February 1 (BTA) - President Rosen Plevneliev conferred
on Sunday with Presidents Gjorge Ivanov of Macedonia, Bujar
Nishani of Albania and Atifete Jahjaga of Kosovo and the
Chairman of the Presidency of
Bosnia and Hercegovina, Mladen Ivanic, Plevneliev's press
secretariat said. The state leaders attended the funeral service
of
former Bulgarian president Zhelyo Zhelev who passed away on
January 30.

President Ivanov thanked Bulgaria for its decisive support and
personally President Zhelev for the fact that Bulgaria was the
first to recognize the Republic of Macedonia by its
constitutional name.

Plevneliev underscored that the highest-level Macedonian
delegation is an important sign of the goodneighbourly and
friendly relations which Bulgaria and Macedonia are building.

Bulgaria supports Macedonia's efforts for European and
Euro-Atlantic integration, said the Bulgarian head of State, "It
is time to back words with deeds and sign the good neighbourly
agreement which will give a clear sign to the Balkans and Europe
that Bulgaria and Macedonia are true friends," said Plevneliev.

President Ivanov voiced Macedonia's willingness to sign the
agreement.

Meeting with Mladen Ivanic, the Chairman of the Presidency of
Bosnia and Hercegovina, Plevneliev said that Bulgaria will
continue to support the Western Balkan countries along their
European path. However, he stressed the need for reforms which
should have international support.

Bosnia and Herzegovina may rely on Bulgaria's support within the
European Union and its experience in the process of European
integration, said Plevneliev, who outlined Bulgaria as the main
engine for closer EU integration in the region.

Ivanic familiarized Plevneliev with reforms implemented by his
country along the road to EU integration. The Bulgarian head of
State outlined several conditions for success including the
promotion of the fundamental democratic values and the rule of
law.

Plevneliev and Ivanic exchanged opinions on the situation in
Eastern Ukraine and the risk of a new populist wave across the
countries from the region and Europe.

Plevneliev and Albanian counterpart Bujar Nishani rallied behind
the idea that the European perspective for the Western Balkans
has no alternative and that the European Union should back their
efforts towards full-fledged membership.

President Nishani said: "The EU accession is among the top
priorities for Albania and for us it is important to know that
we can rely on the support of a true friend such as Bulgaria."
For his part, President Plevneliev said that Bulgaria is focused
and is working towards the European perspective of the Western
Balkan countries.

During a meeting between President Plevneliev and his Kosovo
counterpart Atifete Jahjaga, it emerged that Kosovo will tap
Bulgaria's experience in the process of stabilization, EU
association and the introduction of the EU legislation. The two
countries will also work to advance the political dialogue,
commercial, economic and cultural ties.