Bulgarian President Radev Holds Tete-a-Tete Meeting with Kosovan Counterpart Osmani-Sadriu

UPDATED Bulgarian President Radev Holds Tete-a-Tete Meeting with Kosovan Counterpart Osmani-Sadriu

BTA special correspondent Elena Nikolova, Konstantin Karagyozov

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev (left) and his Kosovan counterpart Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu (BTA Photo)

Pristina,

22.12.2023 12:10 | UPDATED 22.12.2023 16:34

(BTA)

Bulgarian president Rumen Radev is holding a tete-a-tete meating with Kosovan counterpart Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu. Radev is paying an official visit to Kosovo December 22 - 23 at the invitation of Osmani-Sadriu.

Before the meeting, the Bulgarian Head of State was welcomed by his Kosovan counterpart at an official ceremony at the Ibrahim Rugova Square.

Later on Friday, Radev will confer with Kosovan Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Pristina Mayor Perparim Rama.

The focus of Radev's visit to Kosovo is the development of bilateral relations, cooperation in areas of mutual interest, Kosovo's European prospects and the Bulgarian community in the country. Regional stability and cooperation in Southeast Europe is also on the agenda.

On March 20, 2008, Bulgaria’s Council of Ministers adopted a decision, recognizing Kosovo’s independence. In 2009, Bulgaria’s liaison office in Pristina, which was opened in 2002, was upgraded to the rank of embassy. The political dialogue between the two countries has been expanding in recent years.

You can count on our consistent support for your effort to build Kosovo as a modern, democratic state, with strong institutions, fully integrated into the international system, Bulgarian head of State Rumen Radev said after his meeting with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu in Pristina. Radev is on a two-day visit to Kosovo at the invitation of his Kosovo counterpart.

President Radev said that Bulgaria was among the first countries to recognise Kosovo's independence in 2008. Bulgaria will continue to provide its support for Kosovo's accession to the Council of Europe as soon as possible, Radev said. He stressed that Bulgaria is one of the main drivers for the accelerated integration of all the Western Balkan countries into the European Union and pointed out that this country welcomes the efforts Kosovo is making for its European integration.

Radev said that reaching a comprehensive and legally binding agreement to neutralise tensions between Belgrade and Pristina is of key importance for the security, stability and prosperity of the region. He stressed that stability and security are important not only for the future of the Balkan region, but also for the entire European Union.

Radev pointed out that the two countries share the conviction that the trade exchange between Kosovo and Bulgaria still has far untapped potential for future development. In his words, therefore, it is important to update some of the already concluded memoranda, to broaden the basis of cooperation with new agreements. Connectivity and economic cooperation are key for the development of all other areas, Radev said.

/VE/