Eurasia Press & News
As a member of the European Union and NATO, Bulgaria supports Albania’s European and Euro-Atlantic prospect, both politically as well as from its experience in integration processes, Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said Thursday. Bulgaria’s policy is not to search for dividing lines between the people on the Balkans but to find a mechanism for the people to lead a better life, Stanishev was quoted by the government’s information service as saying when he met with the visiting Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Jozefina Coba Topalli.
Both sides appreciated that the Bulgarian-Albanian political dialogue and the cooperation in the regional formats are at a high level.
Stanishev said the bilateral ties need to become ever more pragmatic and dynamic, especially the economic relations which have untapped potential.
Topalli said the Albanian business is very interested to meet with representatives of the Bulgarian Industrial Association to identify mutually beneficial mechanisms for cooperation.
Stanishev and Topalli also discussed the timetable of Albania’s integration in the EU, the Treaty of Lisbon, the situation and prospects of Southeast Europe, and the global financial crisis.
Topalli was also received by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin. The Albanian guest noted Bulgaria’s role in Southeast Europe. Topalli once again relayed the wish of the Albanian business circles to intensify the economic cooperation with Bulgaria.
Kalfin and Topalli also reviewed the upcoming bilateral visits and the processes underway in the region.
The Bulgarian National Assembly ratified Thursday the protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty on the accession of Croatia and Albania.
