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Yugoslavia, Bulgaria Agree to Overcome Animosity
Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica and his Bulgarian counterpart, Petar Stoyanov, agreed on Wednesday, December 20, to overcome antagonism between the two countries in the past and vowed to solve all regional problems with political means.
After their first meeting in the southern Serbian city of Nis, both presidents expressed willingness to rise above past prejudices in bilateral relations. They also believed that both countries share the same goal of stability and peace in the region.
Bulgaria, which is eager to join the European Union (EU) and NATO, backed NATO's air strikes against Yugoslavia last year and provided NATO planes with an air corridor.
Kostunica said their meeting is aimed at bolstering cooperation among Balkan nations. "We are here to encourage our relations and consolidate cooperation," Kostunica said, adding that a number of bilateral accords would be signed in the near future.
Stoyanov said they discussed further cooperation on joint infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Nis-Sofia highway, oil and natural gas pipelines, electrification of railways linking two countries, the resumption of navigation in the Danube, and mutual exemption of visas.
The two presidents said they would have further meetings in Belgrade and Sofia.
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