“The European integration of the Western Balkans is in the interest of the entire region, and of the EU. Bulgaria will continue to support the efforts of its neighbours in this process,” President Rumen Radev said during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama.

Rumen Radev reaffirmed Bulgaria’s support for the launch of Albania’s EU membership talks. Bulgaria commends Albania’s achievements in fulfillment of the membership criteria, including with regard to the national minorities in the country, among them the Bulgarian minority. “It is of utmost importance that European integration be based on sustainable and irreversible results in building good neghbour relations in the region, of which Albania is an excellent example,” President Radev added.

Edi Rama laid emphasis on the interest by young people in Albania in studying at Bulgarian universities and invited one of the leading Bulgarian universities to open a branch in Albania.