Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova has met with Kosovo’s chief negotiator with the European Union, Jeton Zulfaj, Petrova’s Ministry said on its website on Friday.
During the talks, the Minister said that Bulgaria regards Kosovo as a trusted partner in the region and will continue to support a clear EU membership perspective for the country.
“I believe that sharing the experience we have gained in the process of European integration is a valuable opportunity for countries that are now embarking on this path. Bulgaria is ready to be an active partner in this regard,” Petrova said.
In the context of European integration, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister stressed the importance of the principle of merit, as it ensures the sustainability of commitments undertaken.
The talks also highlighted the importance of candidate countries aligning their foreign policy positions and actions with the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, which is a key indicator of their geopolitical orientation. Petrova pointed to Kosovo as an excellent example in this regard and added that countries making such significant progress should be given the opportunity to move forward.
The various stages of the EU accession process of the Western Balkan countries, as well as their aspirations and expectations, were presented at the fifth EU Meets the Balkans forum, held at Sofia Tech Park earlier in the day and organized by the European Liberal Forum in cooperation with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party and the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria. Representatives of Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Romania and Turkiye took part in the panel “The Voice of the Region: The Balkans’ Path in a Competitive World.”
Zulfaj recalled at the forum that his country has not yet started accession negotiations. “We have been candidates since December 15, 2022, and the European Union completely ignores us,” he said.
“I believe that here in Bulgaria we find friends and partners who believe that we can move forward, because I do not believe anyone is against our country becoming a stronger democracy, having a stronger economy and making the region more secure,” he added.
Kosovo has been unable to start accession negotiations because five EU Member States — Spain, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Cyprus — do not recognize Kosovo’s independence, declared in 2008.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Confers with Kosovo’s Chief Negotiator with EU 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-09-18 20:18:22
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