site.btaPresident Radev Meets with Representatives of Bulgarian Community in Kosovo

President Rumen Radev met Saturday with representatives of the Bulgarian community in Kosovo. "Protecting the rights and interests of our compatriots is a priority for the Bulgarian state and my personal priority as President of Bulgaria," he said during the meeting in Prizren. The head of State is on a two-day visit to Kosovo at the invitation of his Kosovan counterpart Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu.

Earlier on Saturday, Radev attended the opening ceremony of an office of an association of the Bulgarian community in Kosovo, as well as the opening of the office of the Bulgarian Honorary Consul.

Radev expressed his gratitude for the fact that in difficult historical times the community has managed to preserve its Bulgarian identity, self-consciousness and culture.

“We continue to support your activities here, which are extremely important,” he stressed.

The President said that there are many opportunities for support, such as the programme to support Bulgarian companies. “The funds under this programme are increasing every year and there is a full consensus in the Bulgarian institutions that this trend should continue to develop and we should help more and more,” Radev said. He noted that the Bulgarian side will help for more capacity so that new programmes are initiated, deployed, financed to support the socio-economic development of the region.

The head of State noted that 120 students from Kosovo are currently studying in Bulgarian higher education institutions, where they receive high-quality higher education. "We really hope that when these young people come back here, they will support their homeland or find a successful career abroad," Radev stated.

Bulgaria actively supports Kosovo's efforts to develop as a multi-ethnic state with modern democratic institutions, fully integrated into the international community, Radev further said. He recalled that Bulgaria recognized Kosovo's independence in 2008 and that the country could count on Bulgaria's support.

He pointed out that his most important conversation with the President and the Prime Minister of Kosovo was regarding finding all legal possibilities so that the Bulgarian community in Kosovo is legally recognized, to find its place in the law for the protection and promotion of communities, to find its place in the Consultative Council for Communities under the President. Radev said that he has the assurances of both the President and the Prime Minister that this will be realized soon.

Regarding the upcoming census, Radev underlined that it was extremely important for everyone to freely declare their ethnicity. “The right to free self-determination is a fundamental principle in modern international law and no one should or can take it away from you. The results of this census are extremely important so that the Bulgarian side can further support your efforts, aspirations, to turn your region into a place where your children can stay, have a decent livelihood and be proud to be Bulgarians here in Kosovo,” the President explained.

Radev noted that everything possible will be done to ensure that Bulgarian children in Kosovo learn Bulgarian fluently.

Bulgarian Ambassador to Kosovo Hristo Gudzhev pointed out that the meeting shows that the Bulgarian community will continue to develop and grow because of the children present. “The Bulgarian Embassy supports the Bulgarian community here. I believe that in the future census you will be able to freely identify yourselves as Bulgarians,” he said.