Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Hashim Thaci: Bulgaria contributed a lot to Kosovo’s EU perspective and the integration of the whole region into the EU

БНР Новини
Presidents Plevneliev and Thaci in Sofia
Photo: BGNES

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




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgarians vote for MPs in 51st National Assembly

Bulgarians go to the polls today to elect 240 members of the 51st National Assembly. Nineteen parties and nine coalitions are registered to take part in the elections. A total of 4 858 candidates - 3 480 men and 1 378 women - are vying for a seat in..

published on 10/27/24 7:10 AM

Campaign silence ahead of early elections for Bulgaria's 51st National Assembly

Today, 26 October, has been declared a day of election silence in Bulgaria ahead of the snap elections for the 51st National Assembly. On this day, voters can reflect and decide how to vote. Since April 2021, this is the seventh early parliamentary..

published on 10/26/24 6:35 AM

Underwhelming campaign raises fears of another early election next year

The seventh election campaign in the political marathon of the past three years is drawing to a close. Have we heard any ideas for a way out of this crisis? Have the no longer surprising news of vote-buying attempts, which once again failed to reveal the..

published on 10/25/24 2:18 PM