Kosovo's PM Thaci Arrives in Bulgaria after Deal with Serbia

Politics » DIPLOMACY | May 15, 2013, Wednesday // 08:04
Bulgaria: Kosovo's PM Thaci Arrives in Bulgaria after Deal with Serbia Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci arrives in Bulgaria on Wednesday to pay a one-day working visit. Photo by BGNES

Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci arrives in Bulgaria on Wednesday to pay a one-day working visit.

Thaci will confer with his Bulgarian counterpart Marin Raykov, Cabinet's press service said Tuesday. Thaci will also confer with President Rosen Plevneliev, the President's press secretariat said.

Diplomatic sources told the Bulgarian national radio that talks will focus on drumming Bulgarian support for the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Kosovo and the EU, which would pave the way for Pristina to EU funding.

A decision on the issue is expected to be taken in June.

The visit comes less than a month after the parliament of Kosovo and the government of Serbia approved the groundbreaking reconciliation deal between Serbian PM Ivica Dacic and Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci.

The deal between Serbia and its breakaway province was signed in Brussels under the mediation of EU Foreign Affairs High Representative Catherine Ashton.

"What we are seeing is a step away from the past and, for both of them, a step closer to Europe," commented Ashton.

Hardliners in both Kosovo and Serbia, on the other hand, have objected that the deal gives far too much to the other side.

The agreement does not constitute a recognition of Kosovo on the part of Serbia, but regulates the status of the ethnic Serbian majority in Northern Kosovo.

According to the deal, Serbs there will remain under Kosovar jurisdiction, but will have a broad autonomy, including their own police force.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!

Diplomacy » Be a reporter: Write and send your article
Tags: kosovo, EU, Bulgaria, Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci

Advertisement
Advertisement
Bulgaria news Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) is unique with being a real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news. The editorial staff also publishes a daily online newspaper "Sofia Morning News." Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) and Sofia Morning News publish the latest economic, political and cultural news that take place in Bulgaria. Foreign media analysis on Bulgaria and World News in Brief are also part of the web site and the online newspaper. News Bulgaria