By a governmental decision of March20, 2008, Bulgaria officially recognized the independence of the Republic of Kosovo and established diplomatic relations at embassy level. Then foreign minister Ivaylo Kalfin commented that Bulgaria had not made a choice between Kosovo and Serbia, but had chosen the only opportunity for the international community to intervene and engage in creating a positive political process in the Western Balkans.

Ten years later, H.E. Shpend Kallaba, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Sofia told Radio Bulgaria that "bilateral relations are at an excellent level and Kosovo views Bulgaria as a regional and Euro-Atlantic partner that from the very start has been supporting processes of itsdevelopment as a new country."

"Economic and trade relations in recent years have been steadily rising, especially over the past 5 years. The main problem here remains the impossibility of free movement because of Bulgarian visas for our citizens. Bulgarian companies have shown interest in investing in Kosovo. This is understandable as after signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, our country offers security for foreign investment. Kosovo’s annual growth of 4% is constant and is the highest economic result in the region."

New steps are also expected to deepen bilateral relations. One of them is the appointment of an Honorary Consul of Kosovo to Bulgaria. Ambassador Kallaba told us more about this:

"Despite the small distance separating us –some100 km. from border to border, for Bulgarians Kosovo remains not a well-known country. The number of tourists has been rising each year, but growth is not satisfactory. The mainobstacle here also remain Bulgarian visas. "

According to the ambassador, Kosovo citizens show much interest in Bulgarian resorts, especially the winter ones such as Bansko and Borovets. However,many of the desired trips remain unrealized.

In the past three months, political contacts have been particularly intense due to the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Kosovo's Embassy in Sofia has often been welcoming delegations of the highest level.

"Kosovo, as a country that has created its constitution and its entire legal base on the foundations of European values, is confident in its foreign policy orientation. Public support for Kosovo's EU membership reaches about 90%. This makes us the most pro-European country in the region,"Ambassador Kallabatold Radio Bulgaria.

In this sense, Kosovo is grateful to Bulgaria for the fact that one of the main priorities of its presidency of the Council of the EU is linked to the European integration of the Western Balkans.

"We have to work hard as a region, using the example of the Visegrad and Baltic countries, and Kosovo has been striving to be a constructive and active participant in this process." That is why the efforts towards achievingagreement with Belgrade continue and step by step, all the agreements reached between the two countries will be put into practice, Ambassador Shpend Kallaba believes and hopes that the ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro will be a "matter of days" and this way the two neighboring countries will continue to enjoy excellent bilateral relations."

Asked whether there wereactual prerequisites for opening the topic of "Bulgarian minority in Kosovo", as discussed in Bulgarian media after the recognition of Bulgarians in Albania, Mr. Kallabareplied:

"We welcome all the communities we live with because they are our connecting bridges. The Constitution provides for the possibility of recognizing all minorities in our territory and the fundamental right of those who define themselves as Bulgarians is to be recognized as such. So far we have not received such requests, but future wishes will not cause any problems. "

English: Alexander Markov