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Brussels – The representative of Bulgaria in the EU Enlargement Working Group conveyed to me that the Bulgarian side is ready for talks and is sending positive messages for establishing a dialogue, stated the Minister for European Affairs Orhan Murtezani, who is on a two-day working visit to Brussels since yesterday.
– I think a good environment is being created, which we must use not only to establish a dialogue that must exist between neighboring countries to build good neighborly relations but also a space that will lead us to a mutually acceptable solution, which will finally bring us into the EU, emphasized Murtezani.
Yesterday and today Murtezani had meetings with the President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Oliver Röpke, with the Director-General of the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighborhood (DG ENLARG), Gert Jan Koopman, with the Executive Director for Europe in the European External Action Service (EEAS), Mati Maasikas, as well as with the Croatian MEP Karlo Ressler and with the EP shadow reporters for the country, Thijs Reuten and Matej Tonin.
– I took the opportunity to talk about our integration process. We are fully aware of the obstacles that stand before us and which prevent us from opening negotiations to become a full member of the European Union, just as we are fully aware of the moment dictating that we must quickly find a solution to complete this last part of the 20-year marathon, said Murtezani.
In meetings, he appealed to all EU representatives that an action from Brussels is needed to start the negotiations, considering that our case is facing long-standing bilateral disputes. – To successfully move forward, there must be an echo from Brussels that will assure us that further irrational bilateral issues will not block our negotiation process, which for citizens is still the greatest strategic priority, added Murtezani.
Within the visit, this afternoon Murtezani will have a meeting with the Commissioner for Enlargement, Marthe Kos, where they will discuss the comparison of the Reform Agenda, as well as the Summit of the Western Balkans countries due to be held in Skopje in the second half of March. – We will also discuss all necessary technical procedures that we are finalizing to be formally and legally ready to open negotiations, as well as all ways to establish dialogue and how to reach a mutually acceptable solution with the help of the EU, added Murtezani. (February 5)