The Western Balkans joining the European Union is a key goal of Bulgaria's foreign policy and a condition for Europe's security and stability, deputy foreign minister Ivanka Tasheva said at a ministerial meeting of the Berlin Process in Przno, Montenegro, the foreign ministry said. She confirmed Bulgaria's support for the region's EU path has not changed.

Tasheva said progress toward membership should keep being judged on each country's own merits, how reliable it is, and whether it keeps its promises.

The Berlin Process plays a key role in linking up the region, bringing its economies closer together and connecting young people there, she said, adding that this gives people real opportunities and makes the region more competitive. Stable societies in southeast Europe need stronger institutions, the rule of law and protection for critical infrastructure, she said.

Young people need to stay in the region, Tasheva said. That means faster economic convergence, better education, digital links, more mobility for young people and a legal system they can count on. That way, she said, young people will see a future and European standards at home.

She called for more regional engagement, trust and cooperation so the joint effort brings lasting results for people in the Western Balkans.

A day earlier, foreign minister Velislava Petrova said Bulgaria must carry its share of the security burden in the alliances it belongs to and show what it brings to the table.