A conference of the EU Foreign Ministers and the Foreign Ministers of the Western Balkan countries was held this week in Thessalonica, Greece. It was organized under the Greek presidency of the European Union. In a statement dedicated to the tenth anniversary since the start of the accession process in the Western Balkans, Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin reminded that being a neighbor of the countries form this region, Bulgaria has always been supporting their European integration. However, Minister Vigenin also mentioned that the same principles and criteria for EU membership must apply to all applicant countries and that some of them regard good neighborly relations. Thus, Minister Vigenin hinted that the Bulgarian support towards the countries which have applied for EU membership was not unconditional. This concept is shared by the current Bulgarian government, as well by the former two cabinets which were in charge of the country’s government. That is why Bulgaria has been insisting for many years on agreements for good neighborly relations with its neighboring countries which also applied for EU accession. Bulgaria can provide political support to these countries, but it can also share with them the experience gained in the process of its own accession to the European Union. However, the Bulgarian authorities contend that the local factors must be the main driving force in these countries during the process of their EU accession, because any types of reforms could turn unsteady, if they are driven by foreign pressure. Minster Vigenin also pointed out in his speech that the political and the economic stability in the region must be based on more joint projects. According to Kristian Vigenin, the countries must overcome certain flows regarding the infrastructure in this region. Within this context, Minister Vigenin underlined that the financial instruments for pre-accession assistance must be used to overcome current infrastructure problems. It became clear at the conference in Thessalonica that the countries can rely on a very serious financial resource for the purpose. The EU intends to grant to the Western Balkan countries through the pre-accession funds some EUR 1 billion until 2020. Another EUR 10 billion will be invested in regional projects.