Pusic, who is on a day-long official visit to Bulgaria, said that owing to the European Union and the adoption of European standards, the southeast European region had a great opportunity to ensure long-term stability and security.
"We advocate European prospects for all countries in the region, but also an individual accession process, adjusted to each country (...) Our interest in their progress and EU membership is not the result of altruism but the result of rational interest," the Croatian minister said.
"It is in the interest of both Bulgaria and Croatia to have stable countries in their neighbourhood that are functioning according to the same formal rules and laws and which have the same institutions like we do," Pusic said.
Pusic and Mitov said it was important to ensure European prospects for all countries in the region.
The two ministers also talked about common topics and interests, such as cooperation in the economy, energy and transport, entering the Schengen area, entering the euro area and the development of a strategy for entering a single digital market. The talks also focused on a large European investment project launched by European Commission President jean-Claude Juncker.
Also important is the issue of immigration in the EU, Pusic said, adding that "there is a need to divide responsibility within the EU, according to clear criteria, for people arriving from the southern and eastern neighbourhood on EU soil in these difficult times."
Asked to comment on a statement by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama that he could veto Macedonia's admission to NATO, Pusic said that this "is not on the agenda", underlining that the progress in resolving the crisis in Macedonia could be achieved only through dialogue and cooperation and through the strengthening of European institutions in that country.
During her stay in Bulgaria, Pusic is also expected to hold talks with President Rosen Plevneliev, Parliament Speaker Tsetska Tsacheva and Deputy Prime Minister for European Policies Coordination and Institutional Affairs Meglenom Kuneva.