Bulgarian National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova met with Albanian President Bajram Begaj, the Parliament's press centre said here on Monday. "Improving transport connectivity is a prerequisite for strengthening our economic cooperation and the prosperity of our region," she said and expressed confidence that the two countries will continue to work together for the accelerated construction of Corridor VIII.
A Bulgarian parliamentary delegation, led by Kiselova, is on an official visit to Albania to participate in the 12th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the South-East European Cooperation Process.
"It is regrettable to note that the economic cooperation between Bulgaria and Albania is still significantly behind the level of our political dialogue," the Parliament Chair pointed out. There is untapped potential related to contacts between business representatives, promotion of Bulgarian goods on the Albanian market and vice versa, as well as promotion of active forms of investment cooperation, exchange of information on public procurement in the field of infrastructure, construction and energy, she added.
Kiselova congratulated Begaj on the fact that the country joined the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), pointing out that this is a positive step on the path of Albania's integration to the European Union by 2030.
The National Assembly Chair underlined that one of the most dynamic sectors in Bulgaria-Albania's bilateral relations is tourism. It is equally important for the economic benefits as well as for the mutual understanding and rapprochement between the two peoples, Kiselova stressed.
Bulgaria highly values cooperation with Albania in the defence sector both bilaterally and within the NATO partnership, especially in the context of current geopolitical challenges, she said. "Our two countries share common interests and responsibilities in ensuring security and stability in South-Eastern Europe," Kiselova added. "We highly appreciate Albania's commitment to the establishment and participation in the Multinational Battle Group on the territory of Bulgaria as part of NATO's enhanced vigilance measures,’ she said.
The National Assembly Chair noted that Bulgaria consistently supports Albania in the process of European integration and has always taken an active position in favour of the key decisions for the country's European path.
"The Bulgarian national minority in Albania is an important bridge of friendship and a factor for strengthening the mutual trust that exists between our countries," the Parliament Chair said. Bulgaria appreciates all the efforts that Albania has made to protect minority rights with the adoption in 2017 of the Protection of National Minorities Act, Kiselova underlined.
Kiselova also met with representatives of the Bulgarian community in Albania. She addressed the community, noting that preserving Bulgarian identity outside the country's borders requires daily efforts from both State institutions and Bulgarians abroad. Kiselova congratulated all Bulgarians for their personal contribution to the recognition of the Bulgarian minority in Albania and to the preservation of Bulgarian language, culture and traditions.
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