The Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr Sergei Stanishev, is today on a short official visit to Slovenia at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the European Council, Mr Janez Janša. In their talks, both Prime Ministers focused mainly on European topics, touching also on bilateral cooperation.
(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)
The Prime Minister Janez Janša took the opportunity to stress the increase in trade between the two countries. Trade has almost doubled since May 2006, when the Prime Minister, accompanied by a business delegation, paid a visit to Bulgaria. This is one of the highest rates of increase in Slovenia’s trade with other countries, due, in Mr Janša’s opinion, not only to the excellent cooperation between the two countries but also to the progress made by their respective economies. The Slovenian Prime Minister therefore congratulated his Bulgarian counterpart on Bulgaria’s excellent economic growth, increased foreign direct investment and reforms in both the economy and other areas.
(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)
Both leaders devoted a great deal of attention to the Western Balkan region that is a shared interest of both countries. “It is Slovenia’s as well as Bulgaria’s firm stance that the countries of the Western Balkans deserve a future in Europe. We are both helping these countries to meet the relevant conditions as soon as possible,” said the Slovenian Prime Minister and thanked the Bulgarian Prime Minister for Bulgaria’s very constructive role in shaping the EU’s joint platform on the issue of the future status of Kosovo. “The Council of the European Union, bringing together the Member States Foreign Ministers, showed its unity and adopted a common view on the basis of which the European Union will help the entire Western Balkan region – including Kosovo and Serbia – to achieve long-term stability and the a future in Europe,” added Mr Janša. Bulgaria and Slovenia also share very similar views on NATO enlargement to this region since both countries support the Alliance’s open door policy for the three candidate countries, which may be invited within the next three months to join the Alliance.
(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)
The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction with Bulgaria’s constructive role in certain energy projects crucial to the European Union’s energy supply, since in the years to come, this would be an issue of strategic importance for the economic independence of the European Union. In this regard, he particularly underlined Bulgaria’s role in relations between the European Union and the Black Sea region.
The two Prime Ministers also discussed the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, which is the most important political process in the European Union at present. The Slovene Prime Minister and President of the European Council reported: “The Prime Minister informed me that the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria has also already initiated the procedure. Moreover, it has been announced that final ratification will take place by the end of the Slovenian Presidency.”
(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)
At the press conference following the meeting, PM Janez Janša said that the talks had also covered the preparations for the European Council meeting in March, at which the European Union will launch the second cycle of the Lisbon Strategy and the Member States will decide on certain issues relating to the energy and climate package proposed at the end of January by the European Commission.
