Bulgaria and Macedonia to Improve Relations with New Treaty

The recently proposed treaty with Macedonia calls for ‘friendship, cooperation, and neighborly relations.’ Prime Minister, Boyko Borissov, stated that this is an expression of Bulgaria’s desire to build a positive, modern relationship with Macedonia based on European values. This was reported by the government’s press service on July 26.

According to Borissov, the visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Zoran Zaev to Sofia and his expressed position on a common history for the two countries is a step towards building a new spirit in the relations between the two countries. The European Union also deemed the treaty as a positive step towards developing the European perspective for the Republic of Macedonia, added Borissov.

A statement from the US Embassies in Bulgaria and in Macedonia expressed their approval for the treaty. The statement said the treaty reaffirmed the close ties between the Bulgaria and Macedonia and demonstrated their goodwill to enhance their cooperation in the interest of their citizens. “Such a commitment is a promising example of resolving conflicts between neighbors, of strengthening political stability and of enhancing the economic development of the Western Balkans. We congratulate Bulgaria and Macedonia for this historic, forward-looking step.”

The Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva commented on the story: "We hope the treaty will set a new beginning for our relationship, but let's be realistic - the process will be long. This treaty truly provides an opportunity for the relations of the two countries to improve and an opportunity for our history to unite us and not to distance us…” Zaharieva added that it is in Bulgaria’s best interest to unite all neighboring counties from the Western Balkans through the European Union, for their democracies to develop and for them to not be isolated, but above all, for them to not be anti-Bulgaria.

The Parliament unanimously approved the Declaration for the treaty between Bulgaria and Macedonia. A document was released stating that the National Assembly of Bulgaria welcomes the efforts of the Governments of the two countries to finalize the negotiations on the treaty.

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