In brief
During a meeting in Sofia, Prime Minister Rumen Radev praised the initiatives led by Zoran Nikolov, including a new Kalotina/Gradina border crossing, a duty‑free zone in Tsaribrod, medical access at Sofia’s Military Medical Academy and faster citizenship procedures. Nikolov outlined plans for tourist routes and expressed expectations for the upcoming national council elections, while Radev pledged cooperation with Serbia’s new government to implement these proposals.
In Sofia on November 4, 2026, PM Rumen Radev met with Zoran Nikolov, the leader of the Party of Bulgarians in Serbia, to discuss support for Bulgaria’s national minority in Serbia, BTA reported.
BTA said the prime minister highlighted Nikolov’s efforts to revitalize local economies, citing the creation of a duty‑free zone in Tsaribrod, and emphasized the importance of improving transport links through an additional Kalotina/Gradina 2 border crossing. The meeting also focused on strengthening connectivity between Bulgaria and Serbia as part of the European transport network.
In the discussion, Radev praised Nikolov for launching a duty‑free zone in Tsaribrod, a move that BTA said would boost local commerce and cross‑border trade. The prime minister thanked Nikolov for his role in this economic initiative, noting its potential to enhance the quality of life for the Bulgarian minority in Serbia.
The two leaders also examined proposals for medical treatment. BTA reported that Nikolov had presented plans to arrange medical services for Bulgarian nationals at Sofia’s Military Medical Academy, ensuring easier access to specialised care for the community living abroad.
Further topics included speeding up citizenship procedures and developing new tourist routes in Tsaribrod and Bosilegrad. Nikolov briefed Radev on recent developments in border municipalities and outlined expectations ahead of the national council elections scheduled for November 8. He proposed cooperation with tour operators from both countries to foster mutual understanding through shared tourism initiatives.
Radev concluded the meeting by stating that the Bulgarian government was ready to work with Serbia’s new government to implement Nikolov’s proposals. He affirmed that the measures discussed would present new prospects and opportunities for Bulgarian nationals in Serbia, according to BTA.
