President Plevneliev: Countries from Western Balkans Should be Given Boost for Integration in EU

Munich, February 7 (BTA) - Bulgaria remains in the group of the
most pro-European countries in Europe thanks, among other
things, to the active civil society, Bulgarian President Rosen
Plevneliev said at a meeting with Bavarian Minister of European
Affairs and International Relations Beate Merk, Plevneliev's
press secretariat said. The Bulgarian President is taking part
in the 51st Munich Security Conference on February 6 and 7.

Plevneliev said that despite the unstable political situation in
 Bulgaria in the past two years, the country has "a golden
opportunity" to go ahead with the long delayed reforms in the
judicial system, the administration, the security sector,
healthcare and eduction.

Plevneliev and Merk exchanged views about the security
environment in the region in the context of the crisis in
Eastern Ukraine. The two were unanimous that Europe must stay
united and be strong at a time when there is backtracking from
the principles of democracy and the supremacy of the law.
Plevneliev said that the developments in Ukraine and the Middle
East make Bulgaria's role in Southeastern Europe ever more
important. "Bulgaria is a responsible member of the EU and could
 serve as an example to the countries in the Western Balkans
which must be given a boost along the path to European
integration," Plevneliev said.