The European and Euro-Atlantic prospects for all countries in the region are a matter of priority for Bulgaria, Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Lyubomir Kyuchoukov says in an interview for the Belgrade newspaper "Politika". "We do not support the concept of 'enlargement fatigue' because we believe that only full EU integration of the whole region can make the EU a truly global player," he says.

Commenting Bulgaria's position on Serbia's road to the EU, the Deputy Foreign Minister says that Serbia, like all other countries, need to meet the membership criteria, which in Serbia's case means cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.

"Relations between our two nations are on a very high level despite the differences on the recognition of Kosovo. We cooperate in all areas, starting from continuous political dialog to tourism, like all good neighbors should do," Kyuchoukov says.

Asked what Bulgaria has gained from joining the EU, he says that many changes have happened since the accession and all of them have been positive. He adds though that the expectations were heightened and many believed that their lives would change overnight, and were therefore disappointed.

Source: BTA