site.btaBulgarian MEP Novakov Pays Working Visit to Albania

The motorway from Sofia to Tirana is becoming a strategic European priority, said Bulgarian MEP Andrey Novakov (GERB/EPP) in Tirana at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Belinda Baluku. "Albania is on a steady course towards joining the European Union and has shown exceptional perseverance and will in implementing the reform agenda", he said, as quoted by GERB's press centre on Saturday.

Novakov is on a working visit to Albania at the invitation of the Bulgarian Embassy in Tirana in his capacity as EPP coordinator in the Committee on Regional Policy in the European Parliament and member of the Delegation for Relations with Albania. 

Novakov and Baluku discussed strategic European projects promoting connectivity in Southeast Europe. Emphasis was also placed on military mobility and the possibility of optimising major EU road arteries so that they are also suitable for the movement of military and defence equipment. As a priority of the regional cooperation between Bulgaria and Albania they highlighted the construction of European Transport Corridor 8, connecting the Adriatic and the Black Sea.

During his working visit to Albania, Novakov also held talks with the President of the European Integration Committee of the Albanian Parliament, Yorida Tabaku. The two reviewed Albania's relations with the European Union and highlighted cooperation between the EU and Albanian parliaments as an important factor for the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement.

With Albanian Interior Minister Taulant Bala, Novakov discussed the implementation of key reforms needed in the context of the political and economic criteria for EU membership. They highlighted stability and security in Albania as a key prerequisite for promoting foreign investment, economic exchanges and tourism. The transport sector with a focus on international transport of goods and freight was mentioned as a specific area for cooperation. 

At a meeting with the Bulgarian community in Elbasan, organized by Bulgarian Ambassador Ivaylo Kirov, Novakov stressed to the locals that they are the real bridge and link between Bulgaria and Albania, because they are a perfectly integrated minority, they manage to preserve their Bulgarian identity and at the same time be part of Albania's development with their work and achievements.