President Plevneliev Meets Western Balkan State Leaders

President Rosen Plevneliev conferred on Sunday with Presidents Gjorge Ivanov of Macedonia, Bujar Nishani of Albania and Atifete Jahjaga of Kosovo and the 

Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Hercegovina, Mladen Ivanic, Plevneliev's press secretariat said. The state leaders attended the funeral service of former Bulgarian president Zhelyo Zhelev who passed away on January 30.

President Ivanov thanked Bulgaria for its decisive support and personally President Zhelev for the fact that Bulgaria was the first to recognize the Republic of Macedonia by its constitutional name.

Plevneliev underscored that the highest-level Macedonian delegation is an important sign of the good neighbourly and friendly relations which Bulgaria and Macedonia are building.

Bulgaria supports Macedonia's efforts for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, said the Bulgarian head of State, "It is time to back words with deeds and sign the good neighbourly agreement which will give a clear sign to the Balkans and Europe that Bulgaria and Macedonia are true friends," said Plevneliev.

President Ivanov voiced Macedonia's willingness to sign the agreement.

Meeting with Mladen Ivanic, the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Hercegovina, Plevneliev said that Bulgaria will continue to support the Western Balkan countries along their European path. However, he stressed the need for reforms which should have international support.

Bosnia and Herzegovina may rely on Bulgaria's support within the European Union and its experience in the process of European integration, said Plevneliev, who outlined Bulgaria as the main engine for closer EU integration in the region.