Balkan heads of state gathered in Ohrid Friday to discuss ways to guarantee the long-term energy stability of the region as one of the factors for the region’s sustainable economic development, TANJUG news agency reported, quoted by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

The leaders are expected to declare political solidarity in the event of a local or global energy crisis. A draft declaration, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, also reaffirms efforts by western Balkan nations to eventually join the European Union and NATO. It also calls energy stability crucial for economic development and political stability, and advocates transparency and market principles for suppliers and users.

The summit brings together six presidents _ Alfred Moisiu of Albania, Stipe Mesic of Croatia, Boris Tadic of Serbia, Filip Vujanovic of Montenegro, Branko Crvenkovski of Macedonia and Nebojsa Radmanovic, representing Bosnia's rotating presidency _ along with Bulgaria's vice president, Angel Marin.

The summit is the Balkan leaders' third gathering in a year, following summits on tourism last year in Durres, Albania and combating terrorism and organized crime last October near Belgrade. Southeast Europe has been hit by the EU-mandated closure on Jan. 1 of two reactors at Bulgaria's Kozloduy nuclear power plant.

The safety-related shutdown drastically reduced electricity exports from Bulgaria, previously a major producer _ causing shortages in nearby countries and raising fears of more blackouts this summer.

A winter drought has also reduced hydroelectric production, while other planned infrastructure _ the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, the private AMBO oil link proposed between Bulgaria and Albania and a new Bulgarian nuclear plant _ are years from completion.