Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev stated that the dialogue between the two countries is quite intensive and that Serbia has a friend in Bulgaria.

Plevneliev stressed that Bulgaria wishes to see Serbia become a member of the European Union soon and that it would help it on the path, adding that the two countries should work together toward the strengthening and development of the region.

National Assembly Speaker Maja Gojkovic thanked the President for the support adding that the opening of the first negotiation chapters is just the beginning of the big job Serbia has to tackle, and the experiences of the countries that have undergone the accession process is invaluable. Gojkovic said she expected the opening of new chapters this year since Serbia has invested a lot into its reform processes in the previous period.

Gojkovic also met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov who stated that the EU accession of the Western Balkan countries should be sped up.

The National Assembly Speaker met with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov as well, who stressed that the two countries should maintain good-neighbourly and friendly relations and promote regional cooperation which is the backbone of European cooperation.

Gojkovic and the Bulgarian officials also discussed the development of economic relations, especially in the sphere of infrastructure, construction of gas interconnection between Serbia and Bulgaria, tourism, transboundary cooperation and potential cooperation within the Craiova Group comprising Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, and also spoke about improving the position of national minorities.

Gojkovic began the visit to Bulgaria yesterday with a meeting with Bulgarian National Assembly Speaker Tsetska Tsacheva.

MP Adriana Anastasov, member of the National Assembly’s friendship group with Bulgaria, is also in the delegation.