European Affairs Minister Gergana Gruncharova conferred with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, the Foreign Ministry said late on Friday evening.

Gruncharova was on a visit to Kosovo on April 24 and 25.

She met with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, as well as with Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, with EU Special Representative Pieter Feith, with head of UNMIK Joachim Ruecker, with Slobodan Petrovic, member of the Presidency of the Assembly of Kosovo and leader of the Independent Liberal Party, with Mursel Halili, leader of the Citizens' Initiative of Gora and other officials.

On April 25 Gruncharova visited Dragras, a centre of the Gora community in Kosovo. She also attended the opening of an international conference in Prizren devoted to Kosovo's European perspective.

Gruncharova praised the high degree of responsibility of the Kosovo institutions of the commitments they assumed before the international community.

Invigorating two-way economic cooperation and the opportunities for Bulgarian investments in Kosovo were high on the agenda of the talks between Gruncharova and Thaci. The Kosovo Prime Minister said that the Bulgarian business is welcome in all spheres of the quickly developing economy of his country. He thanked for Bulgaria's support to Kosovo, including for the act of recognition of its independence.

Gruncharova stressed the importance which Bulgaria attaches to the stability and security in the region. She said that Bulgaria is certain that the establishment of lasting peace in the region is connected with progress in the realization of the European perspective of both Kosovo and Serbia.

During her talks with the representatives of the Gora community Gruncharova mapped out the possible forms of cooperation and assistance to the Gora in implementing their rights and freedoms. Gruncharova said that the Bulgarian government has increased the university scholarships for representatives of the community studying in Bulgaria from 5 to 10.

*BGNES photo