President of the Republic Ilir Meta gave an interview to the Bulgarian public television BNT. President Meta spoke about the security of the Western Balkans after the Russian occupation of Ukraine. 

Interview: 

Question: How has the original security architecture in the Balkans changed since the Russian occupation of Ukraine? 

Meta: The whole architecture of global security will change and adapt after this unprovoked and unjustified Russian aggression against Ukraine, as this is a terrible precedent set by a very important actor on the international scene, a permanent member of the Council of UN Security. 

The architecture of European security, of course, will have to adapt to this reality. Many countries, including NATO members, will have to adjust their defense and security policies. The countries of the Western Balkans are also part of this adaptation to the new situation. 

Fortunately, Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro are members of NATO. Other countries are also part of a partnership with NATO which has an interest in joining the EU. They will have to harmonize their foreign policy with that of the European Union. 

We should not take for granted what has been achieved so far to establish peace, but take care to preserve and consolidate it; to work together to remain a secure region, not only in terms of security but also attractive for faster and more sustainable development, to take advantage of this situation, to make the region a more important environment for investment, energy security and interactive corridors. This is very important for us - Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and beyond. 

Question: I am asking you about Corridor VIII. During Mr. Borrell's visit to Tirana, I am reminded that he said that Russian disinformation in the Balkans is growing and that it serves as a tool to hinder European integration. 

Meta: I'm not here to add anything other than what Mr. Borrell said. It is important that the European Union itself adhere more to its core values ??and strive to care more about our democracies in the region - that they grow and consolidate. 

This would avoid the erosion of trust both in the European Union and in our countries, which could be misused by Russia or other actors, who have an interest in undermining these European values ??in our region. 

Question: We mentioned regional security. Is there a risk of revision, changing the borders of the Balkans, especially in relation to the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina? 

Meta: We know how much the Balkans and the whole of Europe have suffered from these crazy border-changing games that have caused rivers of blood in our region, in which, unfortunately, former senior EU officials have also been involved. In this context, all Western Balkan countries must be committed to the undisputed values ??of the EU. 

The solution can never be to change the borders but only to remove the borders based on the model of United Europe. This in the first place. Second, to apply the same European standards for minorities and their rights in all our countries. This is the only solution in this context. 

Question: What is the dimension of Corridor VIII for Bulgaria, Albania and North Macedonia and the context of transport and energy connection policies in this part of the Balkans? 

Meta: Recent events have made more important our joint efforts to give a new impetus to the long-stalled Corridor VIII. Empty words and rhetoric should end and concrete works and projects should be introduced. 

In this regard, I told the leaders of your country, and in particular, the President of the National Assembly, that it would be very important to seek more serious commitment from our Governments and institutions, to work together - Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania and also with other countries, which are interested, in particular Italy, which can also benefit greatly from this project, as well as other countries and friends in the European Union.