NEWS

 

 

The President of the Republic of Kosovo pays an official visit here

 

The future of the Republic of Kosovo lies in the European Union. Bulgaria supports the efforts of the country's leadership and the public for full-fledged European integration and for the continuation of reforms, strengthening of institutions, judicial reform, fight against crime and corruption as key for future EU membership, President Radev said at the joint press conference with his Kosovar counterpart Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, who is on an official visit to this country. 

 

The Bulgarian head of State welcomed her at an official ceremony in St Alexander Nevsky Square. The two presidents held a one-to-one session, after which the plenary talks between the official delegations took place.  

 

The European integration of the Republic of Kosovo is a factor for consolidating stability, security and peace in the Western Balkans and will be a positive sign for the whole region, Rumen Radev said during the plenary talks. The head of State added that this country would continue to provide technical and political support along Kosovo's European path. Bulgaria has always been among the firmest supporters and a main driver of the European perspective of the Western Balkans. In this regard, we started supporting Kosovo as early as 2008, when Bulgaria was one of the first countries to recognise the country's independence, Radev said. 

 

The Bulgarian head of State stressed that this country would continue to work actively to deepen the EU's commitment to the Western Balkans, including to overcome the energy crisis and to boost the socio-economic development in the region. We expect the countries of the region to prove in a continuous process their commitment to the EU values, which are built on the principles of inclusion, good neighbourliness and equitable conditions, Radev added. He praised the efforts of the state leadership of the Republic of Kosovo in the dialogue with the Republic of Serbia. We believe that with the mediation of the EU and the efforts of both sides, a comprehensive, legally binding agreement will be found that will guarantee stability in the region and neutralise the periodic escalation of tensions between the two countries, Rumen Radev said, adding that the agreement of 23 November 2022 is a positive step in this direction.

 

During the plenary talks, Radev and Osmani-Sadriu discussed the prospects for deepening cooperation between Bulgaria and Kosovo in the economy, energy, transport, culture, education and security. A working group will be set up shortly to determine the possibilities for Bulgaria to export electricity to Kosovo. In connection with the energy crisis, thanks to this country's efforts, the EU has activated the macro-financial assistance mechanism, which covers not only the Republic of North Macedonia, but the entire region of the Western Balkans. 

 

The talks also focused on the Bulgarian community in the Republic of Kosovo and the country's efforts to develop a multi-ethnic society. President Radev expressed his expectation that in implementation of the recommendations of the European Parliament's decisions of July this year, based on the EC's 2021 report, the citizens of Kosovo with a distinct Bulgarian identity and consciousness will be given equal opportunities and practical guarantees to exercise their civil rights through appropriate legal and constitutional mechanisms. In this regard, Osmani-Sadriu stated the commitment of the Kosovo institutions to work closely with the Bulgarian state and community.  

 

President Radev expressed his expectation that at the upcoming EU Council meeting Kosovo will receive support for visa liberalisation. Bulgaria also supports Kosovo's efforts to become a member of the Council of Europe because this is a sure way to deepen Kosovo's integration into European structures, as well as to strengthen democratic processes, the rule of law and the protection of human rights, the Bulgarian Head of State added.

 

For her part, Osmani-Sadriu said that for Kosovo Bulgaria is an ally, partner and friend. She thanked for Bulgaria's support for membership in various international and regional formats and organisations. By the end of the year Kosovo will apply for EU membership. We count on Bulgaria's support and hope that your country will help us to convince other European countries that Kosovo supports the European values, she said and pointed out that the decisions taken in Europe should help countries to join the EU faster on the basis of their own contributions. This will help to avoid external, malicious interference destabilising Europe, Osmani-Sadriu concluded.

 

At a ceremony today, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu presented the President's Medal of Honour to Bulgarian servicemen who participated in the KFOR mission in Kosovo. The award is for the contribution of the Bulgarian servicemen to peace and stability in Kosovo. The medal was received by Major General Valeri Tsolov, Commander of the Bulgarian Joint Forces Command.  In the darkest and most difficult times of our history, Bulgaria has always stood by us, Osmani-Sadriu said at the ceremony and expressed gratitude to the Bulgarian people and to the servicemen. Bulgaria will remain committed to security, stability and peace in the region, Rumen Radev said in turn, adding that the Bulgarian armed forces will continue to cooperate with Kosovo.