Bulgarian FM meets with Serbian counterpart, PM

Bulgarian FM meets with Serbian counterpart, PM

The prime minister added that the Serbian government will focus on meeting the standards through the process of reforms and further modernization of the country in the upcoming period.

Zakharieva "praised the reforms that Serbia has implemented, and stressed that Bulgaria strongly supports the further process of Serbia's European integration, adding that the fulfillment of conditions from negotiating chapters 23 and 24 is of great importance."

Brnabic and Zakharieva "agreed that the relations between Serbia and Bulgaria are good and that there is room for further improvement of cooperation, especially in the field of economy and infrastructure projects."

Earlier in the day in Belgrade, the Bulgarian minister was received by Serbia's First Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, when, according to the government, both officials "expressed satisfaction today over good bilateral relations between the two countries" and "readiness of the two countries for further improvement of cooperation, first of all in the fields of the economy, energy, infrastructure and tourism."

They also "highlighted the need for further increase in foreign trade, the completion of the eastern arm of Corridor 10, as well as the project of construction of the gas inter-connector Serbia-Bulgaria, and they also discussed issues of interest to the Bulgarian national minority in Serbia."

Dacic "expressed his gratitude to Bulgaria for its commitment to continue the EU enlargement policy, which is also one of the priorities of its chairmanship of the Council of the European Union."

Zakharieva "stressed the readiness of the Bulgarian side to share with Serbia its experiences from the process of negotiations with the European Union and provide expert assistance in negotiating chapters, especially for Chapters 23 and 24."

The two officials agreed to resolve possible problems through a direct dialogue, "rather than through Brussels" - and "expressed readiness to help economic empowerment of the less developed areas in the border area by joint engagement and projects."