The Presidents of Bulgaria and Albania highlight the construction of Corridor No. 8 as a strategic priority for Southeast Europe

 

Bulgaria strongly supports the start of the negotiation process for Albania's membership of the European Union. The profound and difficult, but clearly focused, reforms undertaken by the Albanian side in the areas of justice, the economy and the protection of national minorities show the difficult road that country has travelled. This is what Head of State Rumen Radev said at a joint press conference with his Albanian counterpart Ilir Meta. The President of the Republic of Albania is on an official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of the Bulgarian President. Vice President Iliana Iotova also took part in the plenary talks. 

 

Bulgaria and Albania are not only allies but also friends. The sizeable Bulgarian minority in the Republic of Albania contributes to this, the Bulgarian Head of State emphasised. Radev hailed Albania's policy on national minorities and the 2017 law on their protection, as well as the related by-laws, 'so that all the necessary conditions for a European approach and relations are met.' We will continue to work together, the President further said and thanked for the open policy due to which the Bulgarian national minority in Albania continues to be a sound bridge between the two peoples, preserving its identity, the opportunity to learn its mother tongue and preserve its national traditions. 

 

I hope that we will work much more actively to build cultural and information centres as quickly as possible both in Tirana and Sofia. This will enable our peoples to cooperate much more fruitfully in the field of culture and education, President Radev said.

 

The bilateral relations have the potential to develop economic and trade exchanges, investments, culture, science and education, was the common position of Rumen Radev and Ilir Meta. The two presidents highlighted the opening of a direct air link between Tirana and Sofia, which will have a favourable effect on fostering business ties, the exchange of young people and mutual connectivity. 

 

Rumen Radev and Ilir Mehta pointed to the construction of Corridor No. 8 as a priority for the countries of the region, which has been delayed for many years. In President Radev's words, the project in its entirety as a road, rail, energy, and digital connectivity is of prime importance for the economic development and security of the region. 

 

The Presidents of Bulgaria and Albania called for an end to the insane fratricidal war between Russia and Ukraine, for an international independent inquiry into the atrocities committed in Bucha and for the guilty to be identified as soon as possible and punished in the harshest possible terms. The Bulgarian Head of State praised Albania's decision to send a contingent to the NATO multinational battlegroup in this country as a symbol of unity of the Alliance. 

 

Ilir Meta was welcomed by President Rumen Radev at an official ceremony. The Albanian Head of State laid a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier. The two Presidents had a personal talk, after which plenary talks took place between the two official delegations.