European integration is the only true path to prosperity, security and stability in the Western Balkans

We welcome the progress made over the last year by each EU candidate country and potential candidate, said Minister Daniel Mitov with regard to the commission’s annual Enlargement package presented today. At the beginning of 2014 we have opened accession negotiations with Serbia. Albania has achieved candidate status. Montenegro has made further progress in accession negotiations with the opening of new chapters, he said.

We will continue to support the efforts of our neighbors and friends. Their progress towards accession depends mostly on their own will and ability to integrate the values ​​on which the Union is founded, and the internal dynamics of the reforms. Maintaining good neighborly relations is an important sign of readiness to adopt the EU values ​​and principles.

Bulgaria has always been consistent in its support for the European future of the Western Balkans and Turkey. We believe that the European integration is the only true path to prosperity, security and stability.

We hope that next year the countries from the region will make further steps towards adopting the EU values ​​and policies, with the support of the European institutions and the Member States.