Ekaterina Zaharieva Reconfirming Bulgaria’s Support for European Integration of Albania
15 October 2020 News
Ekaterina Zaharieva, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed Bulgaria’s support for the European integration of Albania during her talks with her Albanian colleague Gent Cakaj at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.
„Bulgaria will do its best to support Albania on its path to the European Union. At this stage we are still of the opinion that it would be a mistake to separate Albania and Republic of North Macedonia in the negotiation process. Albania made serious steps in the process of reforms,“ our Foreign Minister said.
The European integration of Albania and the potential for deepening bilateral cooperation in connectivity, economy and tourism were the highlights of the talks.
Gent Cakaj, acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, briefed Ekaterina Zaharieva on the progress of reforms and thanked Bulgaria for the continuous support to his country on the way to negotiations for EU membership and for bringing back the Western Balkans on the European agenda.
„I would like to thank Bulgaria and personally the Minister for your role in the Berlin Process and for the efforts for European integration of the Western Balkan countries. We also very much recognise the importance of the Sofia Summit in November. I express gratitude for your support for inception of negotiations; we have fulfilled all conditions and we are also working on reform of the judiciary,“ the Foreign Minister of Albania said.
Ekaterina Zaharieva commended the reform efforts of Albania in the recent years. „I would like to thank for recognising the Bulgarian minority by virtue of adopting the Protection of National Minorities Act in 2017. This too was one of the important steps for the EU,“ Ekaterina Zaharieva noted, her belief being that a long-lasting historical injustice was thus redressed.
She expressed hope that the Albanian Government would adopt the relevant secondary legislation on national minorities. „What is of utmost importance for this country is the right of Bulgarians in Albania to have access to studying their mother tongue. We are ready to assist the process with materials and teachers alike,“ our Foreign Minister said.
Bulgaria also provides support that is visible both to the citizens and the institutions along the lines of its formal development aid (FDA). A region in Albania with predominant ethnic Bulgarian population sees the rollout of the largest project under the Bulgarian FDA – the construction of an asphalt road connecting the town of Bilisht and village of Vernik worth BGN 1,125,561.
On Albanian part, the importance of the Bulgarian community was highlighted. „The Bulgarian ethnic minority in Albania acts as a precious bridge between the two peoples,“ said Gent Cakaj.
Ekaterina Zaharieva and Gent Cakaj were unanimous that there were no open issues between the two countries and they serve as an example of good neighbours in the region.
„We are a good example. Despite the fact that the two countries have no border to share, they have no unresolved questions; what they do share is plenty of friendship,“ our Foreign Minister said.
Bulgaria was the first state to support Albania in the heat of the COVID-19 crisis in spring with protective coveralls and supplies for health care professionals at the front line. This country also provided BGN 200,000 in aid and a team of 12 engineers for recovery from the earthquake that hit Albania in December last year.
„I would like personally to extend thanks to the Minister and to the Bulgarian people for your support for the Albanian citizens in the first days in the wake of the earthquake. Bulgaria was among the countries that responded first,“ said Gent Cakaj.
Ekaterina Zaharieva on her part praised the excellent political relations bringing benefits for the economy as well. „Even in times of crisis with COVID-19, the trade between the two countries grew with 8 per cent in the first half of the year. There is hardly any other country for which rise in trade volumes is reported to date,“ she said.
The two ministers discussed possible ways to further promote relations in the sectors of economy and tourism.
„Connectivity plays a major role here. We still have no direct flights, and Corridor 8 is not yet completed,“ Zaharieva pointed out.
„One of the key priorities in regional policies of Albania is connectivity. Albania has special interest in having all obstacles to regional cooperation removed. We express our readiness to continue the construction of Corridor 8 because of its importance for the citizens of our states,“ Gent Cakaj said.
During the meetings it was agreed that the two countries start working on reintroducing direct flights between Sofia and Tirana and organising soonest possible a session of the Joint Committee for Economic and Trade Cooperation. The two ministers signed a Cooperation Agreement for Protection of the Environment and Water.
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