"Bulgaria gives an unequivocal 'yes' to Albania for start of EU membership talks," President Rumen Radev said at a joint press conference with Albanian counterpart Ilir Meta. The main topic of discussions was EU enlargement and the integration of the Western Balkans. President Rumen Radev pointed out the friendly relations between Bulgaria and Albania, adding that the Bulgarian national minority in Albania has a significant contribution to these friendly relations.

The Bulgarian minority has been included in the legislation, the Albanian president said. "That is why all minorities are protected, including the Bulgarian one, and every effort is made to make them proud of their identity and to always be well integrated and supported by all institutions, both central and local," President Meta added.

"There is a long delay when it comes to Corridor 8, which is crucial for the economic development of the region," the Bulgarian Head of State said, recalling the memorandum between Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Albania.

Radev and Meta also discussed the war in Ukraine and called for an international investigation into the Bucha atrocities.