site.btaPresident Rumen Radev Holds Working Meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama

 Sofia, June 9 (BTA) - President Rumen Radev held a working
meeting on Wednesday with the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi
Rama. The European integration of the countries of the Western
Balkans is in the interest of the whole region and of that of
the European Union, said Radev. Bulgaria will continue to
support the efforts of its neighbours in this process, he added,
 quoted by his press office.

President Radev reaffirmed Bulgaria's support for Albania's
readiness to start EU membership talks.

Bulgaria highly appreciates the Albania's achievements in
fulfilling the Copenhagen membership criteria, including the
European attitude towards national minorities in the country,
one of which is the Bulgarian one, Rumen Radev said. It is
crucial that the process of European integration in the Balkans
builds on sustainable and irreversible results in developing
relations of friendship and good neighbourliness in the region,
of which Albania is an excellent example, the President said.

It was generally agreed that the active direct bilateral
dialogue between the individual countries, as well as the
high-level meetings, provide an opportunity to seek and find
common solutions for the future.

Albania seeks to further enhance the quality of education and
science in the country and will work to expand partnerships in
this area, as well as to attract established foreign
universities to its territory, Edi Rama said. He highlighted the
 interest of Albanian youth in Bulgarian universities and
invited a leading Bulgarian university to open a branch in
Albania. NV/DT