ПРОГРАМИ
en de ru fr es sr gr al tr ro
Podcast in English
Audio Player
Share
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Stefan Fule: “Bulgaria has key role in EU expansion”

Photo: BТА
European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule was on a one-day visit to Sofia. During his short, but essential for this country and the regional development stay Commissioner Fule met President Rossen Plevneliev, PM Boyko Borissov and Foreign Minister Nikolai Mladenov. The EU expansion in the West Balkans and the Bulgarian role in this process was a major subject of discussion.
After his meeting with the Bulgarian Foreign Minister Stefan Fule made a statement. (audio)

In his turn Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolai Mladenov stated that this country supported the enlargement idea, defended vigorously by Commissioner Fule. However, in his words the road to the EU includes the solving of any neighboring relations issues.

“When our neighbors in the Balkans respond to the criteria for legislative harmonization, regional cooperation and good neighboring relations, it will be normal for them to join our family. Commissioner Fule has the full support of Bulgaria on this issue, since, being a recent EU member-state we see the advantages of membership in the best way. Regarding all this, we won’t be the first country that will obstruct other countries to join the EU. On the contrary, we will always defend the idea for Europe’s enlargement here, in the Balkans. This is a part of the big project for restoration of peace and welfare on this continent.”

Minister Mladenov reminded further that when Bulgaria was an applicant for EU membership, it gradually solved key problems in the relations with its neighbors that had been a burden for years. “We are sure that the road, which our Balkan neighbors, including the Republic of Macedonia should go along, includes the solving of issues of this kind, as well as measures that improve the trust between countries,” he underlined.
The subject on the relations between Bulgaria and Macedonia was accentuated on during all meetings of Commissioner Fule in Sofia. Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev stated firmly that the support of this country for the EU accession of the West Balkan states and especially for the one of Macedonia was not absolute. “It is based on the overall meeting of the accession criteria and the development of good neighborhood relations is among those,” the head of state pointed out. In his words the EC report on Macedonia’s accession does not reflect adequately the role of the country in regional cooperation and the state of bilateral relations with Bulgaria.

The subject was discussed in details during the talks at the foreign ministry too, where our Foreign Minister Nikolai Mladenov voiced the concerns of Bulgaria on the occasion of the nationalistic policy, led by Skopje. In his words it was agreed at the meeting that the only way for solving of the problems, related to nationalistic rhetoric was the European integration. That was confirmed before media by Stefan Fule too. “All issues between Bulgaria and Macedonia can be solved on the basics of European values. We should leave the past alone, since the accession negotiations encourage the creation of a very friendly environment for the development and strengthening of good neighboring relations,” EU Commissioner Stefan Fule stated.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev
По публикацията работи: Tatyana Obretenova


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.
Radio Bulgaria Life   

More from category

Balkan developments

The prices of Easter goods are rising The Easter meal in the Balkan countries will be more expensive this year, BTA reports. Lamb in Serbia costs about 1,400 dinars (EUR 11.5) per kilogram in supermarkets. On Good Friday, fish..

published on 4/17/25 11:39 AM

Bulgaria's Antarctic explorers featured in photo exhibition in Sofia

Residents and visitors to Sofia will have the opportunity to learn more about Bulgarian scientists working in Antarctica and their important role in the exploration of the continent. The exhibition "Antarctic People - Caring for the Earth" by BNR..

published on 4/17/25 8:15 AM

платена публикация
Pamper Yourself: Affordable Luxury Hair and Beauty Services in Bulgaria

Looking and feeling your best doesn’t have to come at a high price — especially in Bulgaria. The country has become a rising star in beauty tourism, offering top-tier salon services at prices that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re a local or a..

published on 4/16/25 9:55 AM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 16 | Max: 21
Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 13
Cloudy
Min: 10 | Max: 14
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 12 | Max: 20
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 12 | Max: 18
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 19 | Max: 23
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 10 | Max: 20
Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 20
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 23
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 12 | Max: 23
Occasional showers
Min: 12 | Max: 21
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 11 | Max: 19
Occasional showers
Min: 8 | Max: 21
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 11 | Max: 20
Occasional showers
Min: 11 | Max: 21
Occasional showers
Min: 8 | Max: 22
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 24
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 11 | Max: 24
Cloudy
Min: 10 | Max: 24
Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 20
Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 19
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 10 | Max: 19
Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 22
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 24
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 24
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 24
Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 22
BULGARIA IN PICTURES
Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?
Yasen Gyuzelev
Theodore Ushev
Christo Javacheff - Christo
Ilia Peikov
Lika Yanko

BULGARIANS ABROAD

Български English Русский Deutsch Српски Français Ελληνικά Español Shqip Türkçe Română
MOST VIEWED

Bulgaria's Antarctic explorers featured in photo exhibition in Sofia

Residents and visitors to Sofia will have the opportunity to learn more about Bulgarian scientists working in Antarctica and their important role in the..

published on 4/17/25 8:15 AM

Balkan developments

The prices of Easter goods are rising The Easter meal in the Balkan countries will be more expensive this year, BTA reports...

published on 4/17/25 11:39 AM

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

Общи условия за използване на сайта | Политика за поверителност | Политика за "бисквитки"