“Bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Kosovo are excellent, there is nothing that stands between us, and much that brings us together.” These were the first words by the newly appointed ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Bulgaria Edon Cana, who chose to give his first interview in this country to Radio Bulgaria.

Mr. Cana came to this country at the beginning of September, and his impressions so far are entirely positive: “It is very easy to be ambassador in Bulgaria because everyone is so ready to oblige,” he says.

In his words Bulgaria is a strategic partner in the region, that is why much effort is being channeled towards political cooperation, but the focus in his work as ambassador will be on economy and culture. 

“Especially in the sphere of the economy, because there is such potential there,” says ambassador Cana.

Commerce and making efforts to increase trade between the two countries are top priority in the action strategy drafted by ambassador Cana. Second comes “drawing on the experience of Bulgarian businesses in order to attract foreign investments, most of all from Europe. That is what we shall throw the bulk of our efforts into, and we have ideas of future visits by business representatives from Kosovo who will be able to get acquainted with Bulgaria’s practices on site.”

Ambassador Cana enumerated other sectors with a high potential for cooperation: agriculture, stockbreeding, viticulture, wine production.

“What made a big impression on me was that Bulagria is ahead of France in the production of lavender. There is a lot we can learn and analyze here – how a Balkan country is able to compete with such a powerful economy as the economy of France, and in the production of a crop that is practically a symbol of France,” said Edon Cana and turned to another sphere, well suited for exchange of experience: “We are seeing an enormous potential in wine making. And we are seeing how Bulgaria has been taking enormous strides in the past 10 years.” Ambassador Cana went on to mention a recent meeting he had with representatives of a wine factory in Rahovec, who told him they had engaged a Bulgarian technologist and that they were very pleased with his services.

Very soon, contacts between Bulgarians and Kosovars will be made so much easier with the new highway connecting Pristina and Skopje that is currently under construction.  “By intensifying economic cooperation and bringing our culture to Bulgaria more tangibly, we shall raise awareness among Bulgarians of our tourist sites – I believe that this would prompt more Bulgarians to choose Kosovo as a holiday destination,” ambassador Cana says.

The good news for the citizens of Kosovo, planning to travel to Bulgaria, is the visa waiver – something that will become fact very soon, when European Parliament votes to liberalize the visa regime with Kosovo. “This coming spring our citizens will be able to travel to Bulgaria without visas,” said ambassador Cana, adding that this will greatly facilitate bilateral contacts. Obtaining a visa now is expensive, and takes a great deal of time and effort.

Edon Cana took the opportunity to express his gratitude for the big support Bulgaria rendered Kosovo during this country’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. In his words, Bulgaria acted as regional leader, upholding positions of principle, a leader who did not permit Kosovo to be discriminated against during the discussions of the EU’s common policy with regard to the Western Balkans. “We see Bulgaria’s role for what it is. We are so glad that a country in the region which is a member of the EU, is devoting its attention to the region, because we know that no country here can attain economic development without there being political stability. Everything Bulgaria is doing is appreciated highly in Kosovo, that is the reason why President Hashim Thaci bestowed an order on PM Boyko Borissov on the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of the independence of Kosovo.”

English version: Milena Daynova