Incumbent and former leaders of the Balkan states on Sunday called for concerted efforts to boost the region's transportation and supply infrastructure to achieve an early integration with Europe.
 
During a two-day meeting of the Balkan Political Club ended in Sofia Sunday, the leaders agreed that the transportation, power and communication infrastructure of the Balkan countries are lagging behind, which seriously restricts the development of the region and handicaps its integration with Europe.

The meeting hence called on the countries to strengthen collaboration and coordination, especially in the construction of transnational highway, railway, oil and gas transportation pipelines and energy projects.

The Balkan Political Club was established at the suggestion of Bulgarian ex-president Zhelyu Zhelev in May, 2001, which a periodically gathers incumbent and former leaders of the Balkan countries to discuss the regional situation and economic development.

Sunday's meeting was attended by Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, Prime Minister Simeon Borissov Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, President of Serbia-Montenegro Svetozar Marovic, and former presidents of Turkey, Macedonia and Romania.

(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2005)