Bulgaria will continue to support Kosovo's development and its EU accession bid, Bulgaria's President Rossen Plevneliev said at a meeting with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci who took part at the 20th Jubilee Meeting of the South-East European Cooperation Process in Sofia. Presidents Plevneliev and Thaci voiced hopes that Bulgaria and Kosovo would boost bilateral economic exchange and strengthen the business contacts in the power engineering, mining, tourism and agriculture field.

In a special interview for Radio Bulgaria Kosovo President Hashim Thaci accentuated on the bilateral ties between the two countries:

“Kosovo and Bulgaria maintain excellent bilateral relations in all spheres - politics, diplomacy, economy, social field, culture and education. Bulgaria was among the first countries which recognized the independence of the Republic of Kosovo. We maintain good neighborly relations and share common values.”

What is Bulgaria's contribution to Kosovo's integration into the EU?

“Bulgaria contributed a lot to Kosovo's EU perspective and the integration of the whole region into the EU. The countries of the region which have not yet become EU members, including Kosovo, should follow the positive example of Bulgaria, in order to develop quicker, better and receive positive assessment from the EU. I appreciate a lot the role of Bulgaria's President, Bulgaria's Prime Minister and of all Bulgarian institutions in that field.”

The normalization of the relations between Kosovo and Serbia is an important step towards the EU integration of both countries. Could you tell us more about the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade.

“In April 2013 Kosovo and Serbia signed a historical agreement on the normalization of relations and currently we are in a process of implementation of that agreement. In my view, it is time for those countries to sign a new agreement with broader political frameworks which should aim at overcoming the long-lasting conflict. A possible agreement for reconcilement, good neighborly relations and cooperation would contribute to the political collaboration, the economic and social development and the common fight against organized crime, corruption, human trafficking, radicalization and terrorism. However, all agreements signed between the two countries should be in line with the Euro-Atlantic standards and values.”

English version: Kostadin Atanasov