The Balkans region is an integral part of Europe and its inclusion in the joint European space of security and economic development is of strategic importance for the lasting stability of the whole of the European Union.

This is what Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said at a joint briefing in Sofia with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. PM Borissov has thanked Juncker and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, for their visits to the Balkans, as this way they saw by themselves "how horrible connectivity in the Balkans was."

The ambitious task that we have set for the meeting in Sofia in May is to know how each of the links will be financed and when the projects will be ready, Borissov said.

Those who want to join the EU must meet all the accession criteria and conditions, but at this stage none of these countries (i.e. the Western Balkans) meet all the conditions, although there is a huge progress marked. I want to point out the need to work together and have an effective fight against organized crime and against corruption that destroys society, said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Sofia.