November 11, 2009


The official visit to Zagreb, of the Bulgarian parliamentary delegation, led by the chair of the National Assembly Tsetska Tsacheva has begun with the meeting with Stjepan Mesic, the President of Croatia.

Croatia’s President stated at the opening of the talks that the two countries enjoy traditional friendship and no unresolved political issues exist, which requires from the politicians to take advantage of any opportunity to fully cooperate in the interest of the citizens of both countries,. “Your visit is testimony to the upward trend in the relations between Bulgaria and Croatia”, he added. Stjepan Mesic pointed out that business partnerships between the two countries should be encouraged more. Croatia's President expressed his gratitude to Bulgaria for the support given to his country's membership in NATO, and currently - in the process of accession to the European Union.

“We are bound by centuries old friendship, and today our closeness is defined primarily by our common European goals”, said at the meeting Tsetska Tsacheva. “Our duty and responsibility as politicians is to develop a cooperation, which affects in a positive way the citizens of our countries”, she pointed out. Croatia is one step away from the European Union, you are successful, as evidenced by the last 2009 progress report of the European Commission for the country, mentioned the Bulgarian head of parliament.

At the press conference, answering a reporter’s question how Bulgaria could help Croatia on its path to full membership in the European Union Tsetska Tsacheva said: "The fact that our delegation includes a Bulgarian MEP, who is also member of the European Parliament’s Foreign Committee means that Bulgaria may be helpful to Croatia in the final stage of its accession to the Union. I express the confidence of our delegation, and the position of the Bulgarian Parliament as well that Croatia has a small step to go, so that in 2010 to successfully complete the negotiations and be accepted as a full EU member. "


The President of Croatia and the Chairwoman of the National Assembly discussed, during the talks, issues related to regional cooperation. Both sides shared the opinion that the acceptance of Croatia in the EU will be an important sign for other countries in the region that European integration is an achievable goal.


The Bulgarian parliamentary delegation’s official visit in Croatia is to take place on November 10 - 12, 2009. The visit is at the invitation of the President of the Croatian Sabor Luka Bebich. It comprises the head of Bulgaria – Croatia friendship group in the parliament Angel Naidenov, its deputy Georgi Andonov and the MEP Andrey Kovachev.