Еkaterina Zaharieva: The Strategy for the Western Balkans provides a sound platform for speeding up the reforms
17 February 2018 News
“The Strategy for the Western Balkans provides a sound platform for speeding up the reforms and for strengthening the European perspective of the countries of the region. It encourages the necessary deep and sustainable reforms and thus provides guarantees that the progress along the road towards the EU would be irreversible and tangible for all”, said Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs today in her intervention during the Interparliamentary conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), which was held from 15 to 17 February in this country’s capital.
The top Bulgarian diplomat emphasized before Bulgarian and European MPs that this country applied substantial efforts for returning the Balkans into the strategic agenda of the EU. “That is why we anticipated with hope the Communication of the EC on the Western Balkans. Now, following the publication of the document on 6 February 2018, we can clearly state that the document meets our high expectations”, expressed the satisfaction of the government Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister. According to Ms Zaharieva the stability and prosperity of this region is an essential element of the security of our continent, which clearly explains its strategic importance for the EU.
“It is important that this strategy includes all six countries. Bulgaria is of the view that this is the correct way forward” added Ms. Zaharieva before the representatives of Parliaments. She drew attention to the fact that the Bulgarian presidency emphasizes the connectivity of the countries in the region in all aspects – road and railway, energy, digital and among business communities. “The strategy is a comprehensive, long-term and honest one. The reforms should be implemented for a better life, for the citizens of those countries”, stated also Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister before the MPs from the Union.
More photos
