In brief
In Sofia, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev met with Zoran Nikolov, leader of the Party of Bulgarians in Serbia, to confirm support for the Bulgarian minority in Serbia. The discussion highlighted several initiatives such as a new border crossing, a duty‑free zone, medical access, faster citizenship procedures, and tourism projects aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. The government pledged cooperation with Serbia’s new administration to implement these proposals before the national minority councils’ elections on November 8.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev travelled to Sofia on November 4 2026, where he met with Zoran Nikolov, the elected head of the Party of Bulgarians in Serbia, to discuss concrete measures that would improve the living conditions of the Bulgarian national minority in Serbia. The meeting, held in the Prime Minister’s office, was reported by the Government Information Service as a step toward deepening cooperation between the two governments on minority issues.
The first initiative that came up was the planned opening of a second border crossing on the Kalotina–Gradina axis, designated Kalotina/Gradina 2. The site, located in the border municipality of Kalotina in Serbia and the adjacent district of Kalotina in Bulgaria, is expected to become part of the European transport network, providing a new corridor for trade and travel between the two countries. Radev described the crossing as a key component of the shared transport strategy and praised Nikolov for his sustained advocacy for its construction.
Following the discussion on transit, the leaders moved on to economic revitalization projects in the historical border towns. In Tsaribrod, a town that sits on the southwestern edge of Serbia adjacent to Bulgaria, the Party of Bulgarians has spearheaded the establishment of a duty‑free zone that would encourage small businesses and stimulate local employment. Nikolov handed a briefing to the Prime Minister outlining the expected influx of tourism and commerce that the zone should generate over the next three years. Radev thanked Nikolov for this initiative, stressing that it offers a sustainable path for community development.
Health care access is another focal point of the talks. The meeting addressed the expansion of medical services for Bulgarian nationals residing in Serbia by opening a channel for treatment at the Military Medical Academy in Sofia. Under the proposed arrangement, Bulgarian citizens would receive priority appointments and reduced waiting times for specialized procedures. Radev highlighted the significance of this proposal, noting that access to high‑quality medical care can mitigate health disparities in minority communities.
Citizenship procedures also emerged as a priority. Nikolov presented a policy framework that would accelerate the granting of Bulgarian citizenship to eligible individuals in Serbia, thereby simplifying their legal status and integration. The framework proposes a one‑case‑at‑a‑time evaluation system that reduces bureaucracy and shortens processing times from the current six‑month average to a matter of weeks. Radev welcomed the proposal, emphasizing that a streamlined process would facilitate cultural and economic ties between the two populations.
The delegates also discussed the development of new tourist routes that would pass through Tsaribrod and the nearby town of Bosilegrad. They envisage a collaborative project between tour operators from both Bulgaria and Serbia, aiming to create a shared narrative that encourages visitors to appreciate the histories and landscapes of both border communities. Nikolov reiterated that such tourism projects would not only bring revenue but also foster mutual understanding and cultural exchange.
During the meeting, Nikolov briefed the Prime Minister on recent developments in the border municipalities, the challenges faced by the Bulgarian minority, and the expectations ahead of the upcoming elections for the National Councils of National Minorities, scheduled for November 8. He provided a detailed overview of ongoing grassroots initiatives and presented data on social indicators that underscore the need for continued governmental support.
Radev took the floor to express his confidence that the Bulgarian government would work in partnership with Serbia’s new administration to launch the initiatives outlined by Nikolov. He underscored Bulgaria’s commitment to the welfare of the Bulgarian minority throughout these regions and invited Serbian officials to collaborate on the implementation of the agreed measures.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the broader context of Europe’s transport strategy, noting that the new border crossing would anchor the Balkan corridor within the continent’s interconnected network. By enhancing the flow of goods and people, he argued, both Bulgaria and Serbia could foster regional economic resilience, especially in border communities that have historically relied on cross‑border cooperation.
As the meeting concluded, both leaders reiterated their desire to work together with transparency and respect for the rights of minorities. The next step will involve the Latvian‑serbian cooperation framework for monitoring the implementation of the border crossing, duty‑free zone, healthcare partnership, and citizenship procedures, as acknowledged by the parties.
While the meeting did not produce a signed agreement, it laid the groundwork for a series of coordinated actions. The Bulgarian Prime Minister departed Sofia with a clear plan to strengthen ties with the Bulgarian community in Serbia, ensuring that its members receive concrete support in the areas of mobility, economic opportunity, health, and legal status.
