Address
by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Petar Stojanov
"After the
fall of the Berlin wall the summit in Skopje is the second historical
chance for our region that we must take", Bulgarian President Petar
Stoyanov told the Balkan leaders, meeting in Skopje.
"This summit
is not the sole solution of Southeastern Europe but will be remembered
in history, as it is the first summit at which all participants, though
practising different religions, share the same political religion- the
one of democratic values of the rule of law, market economy, freedom
of speech and protection of human rights. Moreover, it is for the first
time that state and government leaders come together in such format,
united by something important- no one would ever resort to warfare as
the means of solving problems", Petar Stoyanov pointed out.
The future
of the Balkans in the aftermath of the changes in Yugoslavia and the
ousting of Slobodan Milosevic has also been discussed during the meetings
of the Bulgarian President in Skopje. "Everyone is convinced now that
the joint economic projects, the common interest and the infrastructural
initiatives are the most essential part of the political dialogue",
said Stoyanov. "Under the present circumstances the foreign investors
will not be afraid of coming to the region. The integration of the region
is crucial. The United Balkans should be treated as inseparable part
of United Europe. Ten years after the rise of the Iron Curtain it is
doubtless that the Balkan peninsula take full part in the integration
process in Europe. The Balkans need peace and security, and Europe needs
peaceful and safe Balkans. The Balkans cannot be regarded as a specific
region which is left to solve its own problems" said the Bulgarian head
of state.
"The process
of accession to Europe depends mainly on the pace of democratization
of the Baikans", said Petar Stoyanov. He went on arguing that from now
on it wilt be easier for the Balkan peoples, although facing many challenges,
to solve them together by the means of dialogue instead of confrontation.
