Bulgaria strongly backs Kosovo's prospects as a worthy member of the European Union and NATO, Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaci has been assured in Sofia.

"The future of the Republic of Kosovo is as a worthy member of the European Union and NATO," Bulgaria's President Rosen Plevneliev said after his meeting with Hashim Thaci on Monday.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaci is paying an official two-day visit to the Bulgarian capital.

He is scheduled to confer with Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov on Tuesday.

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci warned last month that "delays" in the EU integration of the Western Balkans might unlock the worst-case scenario for the region, the redrawing of borders.

In an article entitled "European Union's Delays as Impediment for the Western Balkans", Thaci said any further delays from EU to accelerate the membership of the remaining aspiring countries of the Western Balkans directly undermine our efforts to build multiethnic societies in our countries.

"Furthermore, delays will serve to the radicals' aspirations to work on their agenda of creating mono-ethnic states. As consequence, this could lead towards the change of internationally recognized borders – the worst case scenario," he added.

Thaci stated he has no doubt that the Republic of Kosovo deserves its "rightful place" in the EU family, with EU membership prospects providing a "roadmap of hope" for the people of Kosovo and the entire Western Balkans.