site.btaConnectivity and Regional Cooperation Are Strategic Investment in Balkans Future, Foreign Minister Says

Regional cooperation, strategic connectivity and sustainability on the Balkans were the focus of a series of meetings and multilateral formats with the participation of Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova within the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Foreign Ministry announced in a press release on Friday.

At a quadrilateral meeting of the Balkan EU member states, Petrova spoke with the Foreign Ministers of Romania, Oana Toiu, and Greece, Georgios Gerapetritis, as well as Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman. The four ministers discussed the European agenda, EU enlargement and connectivity.

Petrova also participated in a meeting of the Central European Initiative and the South-East European Cooperation Process, dedicated to regional cooperation in a changing world and to achieving stability, sustainability and growth through trust and concrete results.

"The Balkans must determine their own future through strong partnerships, strategic connectivity and sustainable societies," Petrova said.

She emphasized that transport, energy and digital connectivity are key to both the economic development of the region and its strategic sustainability.

"Europe has shown that borders can be turned into bridges. We must build such bridges on the Balkans as well, not just as a vision for the future, but as a necessity today," Petrova said.

Bulgaria will continue to work for regional cooperation, which leads to concrete results for the security, economic development and connectivity of the region, the Ministry's statement said.