“No change in Bulgaria’s national position regarding the Republic of Northern Macedonia can be expected, for us it remains crucial to maintain good neighborly relations and obtain the necessary guarantees for the implementation of the neighborhood agreement,” said Foreign Minister Svetlan. Stoev at a briefing after a meeting in Sofia with his Portuguese counterpart Augusto Santos Silva and EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhey. The two are on a working visit to Bulgaria.
He said this after media reports appeared that the caretaker government and the president were pressured to retreat to Bulgaria’s position in the negotiations for our neighbor’s accession to the EU.
On this occasion, the leader of IMRO Krassimir Karakachanov said: “In the current situation, a change of direction in relation to Macedonia it will be a national betrayal! Without the clear recognition of the Bulgarian roots, the Bulgarian identity and the language of the population in the past, Bulgaria has no right to discounts “.
“You are the first people I meet as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Department of Enlargement and Neighborhood is one of the most important for us,” Stoev told them.
He noted that Bulgaria continues to be consistent in its strong support for the European integration of the Western Balkan countries, following the criterion of individual achievements of each candidate country and respecting the fundamental values of the community, including the principle of good neighborliness.
“We are open to an active, open and full-fledged dialogue with the Republic of Northern Macedonia, we expect our closest neighbors in the region to work in a spirit of sincerity and constructiveness. There is full continuity on this topic, it is crucial for us to maintain good neighborly relations and obtain the necessary guarantees for the implementation of the 2017 Agreement. We continue our efforts to build a positive atmosphere and restore confidence in our relations with the Republic of North. Macedonia “, the minister, who was Bulgaria’s ambassador to Denmark until before taking office, also assured the guests.
According to him, the last year has shown that solidarity is key.
“It was important for the commission to meet with the prime minister, the president and the foreign minister of Bulgaria, “said Augusto Santos Silva.
He thanked for the warm welcome in Sofia, as well as for Bulgaria’s commitment to the EU enlargement process, a topic that is also important for the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
“There are currently 2 enlargement processes – the start of the next intergovernmental conferences for Montenegro, as well as for Albania and Northern Macedonia. Now it was time to make direct consultations in Bulgaria with Bulgaria. They will be of great importance for the ongoing process, “added the Portuguese Foreign Minister.
Oliver Warhey commented that a lot of work is ahead, and it was important to hear the opinion of Bulgaria, as our country is leading the development of the policy for EU enlargement to the Western Balkans.
“We are here together with Bulgaria to decide what the next steps will be. We are at an important crossroads to see how we can move forward together, “he added.
The visit comes amid further attempts by the Republic of Northern Macedonia to persuade the EU to be ready for membership following our refusal to support the negotiating framework with Skopje over a history dispute and non-compliance with the Treaty of Friendship.
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