site.btaForeign Minister Kondov Participates in CEI Foreign Ministerial in Tirana

Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov Wednesday participated in a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Central European Initiative (CEI) in Tirana, his Ministry said. The discussion focused on CEI's role in regional cooperation, the process of EU integration of the candidate countries, support for Ukraine, and the current challenges facing the CEI region.

Kondov highly appreciated the contribution of the Albanian CEI Presidency to the regional political dialogue. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister delivered three key messages.

First, he stressed the importance of active and inclusive regional cooperation and good-neighbourly relations, as well as of improving connectivity within CEI and the adjacent regions. He called for progress in the construction of Pan-European Corridor VIII, which is vital for enhancing regional connectivity, economic integration and security. 

Second, in the context of the ongoing Russian military aggression, Kondov strongly emphasized Bulgaria's consistent and unwavering support for Ukraine in every respect. Sofia's readiness to support Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, both bilaterally and in line with Kyiv's EU integration goals, was also reaffirmed.

Third, the Bulgaria's chief diplomat reaffirmed Bulgaria's strong support for the EU's enlargement policy based on an own merits approach. Bulgaria will continue to actively support the European perspective of all candidate countries and encourage them to make progress in key areas such as the rule of law, good-neighbourly relations, human rights protection and full alignment with the positions and decisions within the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy.

Kondov thanked CEI Secretary General Roberto Antonione, whose term expires at the year's end, and wished success to the next holder of this position, Franco Dal Mas.

Serbia assumes the CEI Presidency in 2025.