23.06.2023
The new Bulgarian government looks forward to the approval by the Republic of North Macedonia of amendments to its Constitution as agreed in the European compromise reached in 2022. “Whatever efforts we make for the positive development of bilateral relations, they will remain in the rear or will not materialize if the issue of the inclusion of the Bulgarians into the basic law of the Republic of North Macedonia is not adequately resolved,” Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov said firmly as he spoke over telephone with his North Macedonia homologue Dimitar Kovachevski. Acad. Nikolai Denkov reiterated Bulgaria’s support for the integration of the Western Balkans, the Republic of North Macedonia included, into the European Union as it is to the benefit of all. The Republic of North Macedonia is expected to make rapid progress in the reform process and in the fulfilment of the conditions agreed as approved by the conclusions of the Council of the European Union in 2022, the negotiation framework and the reports of the bilateral meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission under Art. 12 of the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation of 2017. Bulgaria stands ready to work together with its neighbor to meet the commitments made.
In both countries, there are groups that do not want good neighbor relations and try to provoke tension. “In such a situation the Bulgarian cabinet will be a soothing factor. However, it is important that no accidents occur in the Republic of North Macedonia and that the central government react immediately if any such occur in order to prove nondiscrimination in its treatment of all its citizens,” Acad. Nikolai Denkov noted. The two Prime Ministers discussed the opportunities to strengthen the positive aspects of bilateral relations, including parliament-to-parliament dialog and sector-to-sector cooperation.
