site.btaBalkan Economic Integration, Peace in Focus at Sofia Conference

A stronger, more interconnected Balkan region based on production links, trade, and shared development goals was the key message of the Second International Conference “The Balkans – for Peace, Security, Cooperation and Partnership”, held in Sofia. The two-day forum brought together policymakers, economists, and experts to discuss regional cooperation, connectivity, and EU integration.

The conference was opened by Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov and Economy and Industry Minister Peter Dilov, and was organized by the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Strategic Institute for National Policies and Ideas (SINPI), the Forum for Balkan Transport and Infrastructure (FBTI), and the National Association for International Relations (NAIR).

Kaloyan Pargov, Chair of SINPI, called for the creation of a Balkan trade and economic zone aimed at strengthening production cooperation and building a single common Balkan market. He emphasized the need for new transnational structures and joint projects in transport and energy as key tools for regional integration. “We reaffirm our Appeal for Peace and Equal Security in the Balkans, with its key message: peace for our nations, peace with our neighbours, peace for Europe and the world,” Pargov said, recalling the initiative’s beginnings two years ago.

Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov underscored that sustainable cooperation must rest on the resolution of longstanding disputes in the region. “Lasting peace and true partnership cannot be built on inherited conflicts,” he said, highlighting diplomacy and dialogue as the real guarantees for stability. Zafirov cautioned that Europe’s growing militarization must be matched by political understanding and reaffirmed Bulgaria’s consistent stance on EU enlargement: support for new members only when all criteria are met and decisions are made by consensus, not qualified majority voting.

Turning to the region’s economic potential, Economy and Industry Minister Peter Dilov said that the Balkans possess significant but underutilized capacity for growth, requiring stronger cooperation in infrastructure, trade, investment, human capital, and digital transformation. “Our region has both the opportunity and the responsibility to become a bridge between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. This is not just a geographic advantage but a strategic opportunity,” he stated.

Dilov outlined Bulgaria’s vision for deepening regional integration through cross-border industrial zones, logistics corridors, and innovation hubs. He stressed the importance of harmonized regulations, digitalized services, and coordinated policies to facilitate investment and competitiveness. “Integration means not only the free flow of goods, services, and capital, but also collaboration on innovation and the green transition,” he emphasized.

“The common economic space is not just a map with borders, it is a platform for shared goals and results. To build it, we must believe in the potential of our people, the power of cooperation, and the prospect of lasting economic, infrastructural, and cultural connectivity,” Dilov concluded.

On the topic of North Macedonia’s EU accession, Zafirov reaffirmed Bulgaria’s support while insisting on respect for the agreed conditions. “We support the requirement for North Macedonia’s Constitution to include Bulgarians as a constituent people, a condition clearly set out in the negotiating framework,” he said, calling the amendment essential for Skopje’s progress toward EU membership.