Our common goal is to integrate the Balkans into the European Union. The countries of Southeast Europe are either part of united Europe or are making the efforts necessary to achieve full membership. Bulgaria has always supported the European prospects of all the countries of South Eastern Europe. These were the messages that President Rosen Plevneliev addressed today to the participants in the Summit of the States Parties to the Co-operation Process in Southeastern Europe, held in Belgrade.

Participating in the regional forum for diplomatic and political dialogue were Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, Croatia and Montenegro.

Speaking at the opening, President Plevneliev said that the countries of South  East Europe are united both by the general perspective of EU membership and the open door policy of NATO and the possibilities for further development and deepening of regional co-operation. He said that Bulgaria has always supported the establishment and strengthening of good neighbourly relations among Balkan countries. The President said that solutions to bilateral issues should be in line with European values. The enlargement process requires partners to integrate rather than leave issues unresolved, the President said.

President Plevneliev said that further deepening of our economic relations is the most effective measure to overcome the negative effects of global financial and economic crisis. “We must mobilize our internal resources and combine them with European financial tools to build strategic projects in transport and energy infrastructure. Our geographical location is a great advantage. You can only take advantage of it by integrating our systems,” the President said. He said that creating a good and stable business environment is crucial to attracting more investors to the region.

The President expressed his satisfaction with the positive development of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and underlined that the implementation of agreements reached is crucial for the deepening of regional co-operation.

Rosen Plevneliev noted the importance of co-operation in security and the fight against organized crime and corruption.