Earlier this week, President Rosen Plevneliev paid official visits to Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The European future of the Western Balkan countries, regional cooperation in Southeast Europe, energy diversification, economic and investment cooperation and partnership in security were central to the talks of the Bulgarian head of state with Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga and with the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina Mladen Ivanic.

The key political message that the Bulgarian president conveyed during this mini-Balkan tour was that the European integration of the Western Balkan countries provides firm ground for stability and prosperity in the region. Plevneliev repeatedly said that Bulgaria had always been consistent in supporting the European future of its neighbors and that the completion of talks for the signature of a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union was an important step in the process of European integration of both Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina. On many occasions the Bulgarian president confirmed readiness to share this country’s experience across all aspects of the integration process.

Another important message in the sphere of economy was that together, the countries of Southeast Europe could build modern energy and transport infrastructures and with support from the European Union boost Balkan unity. „Our ambition is to make sure that the creation of a European Energy Union starts from the Balkans since this will guarantee access of every country from the region to three alternative natural gas sources. The inception of a regional energy market should become a common priority for Southeast Europe”, Plevneliev said. Discussions of various options for expansion of economic cooperation were no less important than the political aspect of the visits to the two Balkan countries. After all, economic integration is the best catalyst of integration in general.

English Daniela Konstantinova