During its Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) (Jan. 1 – June 30, 2018), Bulgaria brought the issue of the European perspective of the Western Balkans to the top of the EU agenda.
The matter was a priority for Bulgaria’s EU Presidency, during which the highlight was the EU-Western Balkans Summit on May 17, 2018, attended by representatives of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia and Kosovo.
The European integration of the Western Balkan countries continued to be in the focus of Bulgaria’s policy.
In a joint news conference with Albanian President Ilir Meta during his visit to Sofia in April, Bulgarian head of State Rumen Radev said that Bulgaria strongly supports the start of Albania’s EU membership talks.
Radev stated that Albania has travelled a path of comprehensive and difficult reforms in the fields of justice, the economy and protection of national minorities, and has done so with a clear focus.
On its website, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry says that, in its bilateral relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria aims to cooperate and share its experience in the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
Enhancing cooperation within the Western Balkans region in order to consolidate stability in Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans in particular, is a priority of Bulgaria’s foreign policy.
On March 20, 2008, by decision of the Council of Ministers, Bulgaria recognised the Republic of Kosovo and provides consistent support to it, including support for Kosovo’s integration in regional and international organisations.
On June 24, 2022, the Bulgarian Parliament opened the way for the EU accession of the Republic of North Macedonia.
By its decision, the National Assembly mandated the Council of Ministers to approve the draft EU accession Negotiating Framework with the Republic of North Macedonia.
It also mandated the signing of a protocol of a second meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia under Art. 12 of the 2017 Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness, and Cooperation, as proposed by the French EU Council Presidency.
A key issue for Bulgaria is protecting the rights of Macedonian Bulgarians, including their incorporation in the constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia, making them equal with the other peoples in that country.
Bulgaria aims to pursue a policy of good-neighbourly and friendly relations and cooperation with the Republic of North Macedonia.
On Aug. 1, 2017, the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia was signed.
It shall be recalled that on Jan. 15, 1992, Bulgaria was the first country to officially recognise former Republic of Macedonia.
On Feb. 20, 2019, the Bulgarian Parliament ratified the Protocol on the Accession of the Republic of North Macedonia to NATO, making Bulgaria one of the first countries to do so.
Bulgaria supports Serbia’s EU integration.
That support is based on the principle of individual merit in meeting the eligibility criteria.
During his visit to Belgrade in February, former Bulgarian prime minister Kiril Petkov confirmed Bulgaria’s support for Serbia’s EU integration.
“With us by your side, you will have a friend, in addition to a supportive partner,” Petkov said.
Bulgaria strongly supports Montenegro on its European journey, as well.
President Rumen Radev confirmed this during his visit to Montenegro in June 2022, saying that Montenegro has made the most progress in the EU enlargement process.
