http://www.centraleurope.com/bulgariatoday/news.php3?id=212148

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Says Kosovo Remains Main Threat
To Balkan Security

SOFIA, Oct 23, 2000 -- (BBC Monitoring) "The new foreign policy of Bulgaria is
based on the thesis that our countries have broad common interests, despite of
the
inherited contradictions," Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nadezhda Mikhaylova said
at
the opening of a two-day international seminar on "Possibilities for Positive
Change
in Southeastern Europe," organized by the European People's Party (EPP), the
Robert Schuman Institute and the ruling Union of Democratic Forces (SDS).

The Stability Pact, the situation in Romania, Yugoslavia and Macedonia, local
administration and regional policy will top the agenda...

"The current moment is the right time to hold such a discussion. Our ability to
assess and take advantage of the emerging new opportunities will determine the
success of our efforts to reach the common goals - security and prosperity of
the
people of Southeastern Europe, comprehensive integration of our countries with
the European and Euro-Atlantic structures," Mikhaylova told the seminar. "In our
view the possibilities for a positive development of the Balkans are linked to
the
establishment of a joint Euro-Atlantic community comprising also the countries
of
Southeastern Europe as full members," she observed.

"The achievement of political stability is a basic prerequisite for positive
development of the region. To this end, we have to manage the security risks,"
the
speaker argued...

"The establishment of close interaction by the new leadership of FRY with EU and
NATO is extremely important to Bulgaria," Mikhaylova stressed. This interaction
will be based on several elements, and above all fulfillment of the requirements
of
the UN War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague. "The issue affects the successful
completion of the Dayton process," she added. "Nevertheless, the biggest
challenge for the regional security remains the Kosovo tangle. The beginning of
constructive dialogue between the new Yugoslav leadership and the
representatives of the international community will be of key importance," the
foreign minister said.

"Bulgaria highly appreciates the efforts of all European institutions which work
for
Europe's unification, for the elimination of the existing dividing lines and
non-admission of new ones, and for the establishment of the EU as a key
political
and economic factor guaranteeing the security and wellbeing of its citizens,"
Bulgarian President Petur Stoyanov writes in a greetings address to the
participants
in the seminar. "The enlargement process, opening the way to Europe's
re-integration after the continent's artificial division in the Cold War era, is
indeed a
unique historic opportunity to ensure peace and stability in the new
millennium," the
head of state says in his message.

Source: BTA web site, Sofia, in English 20 Oct 00