Bulgaria’s position on the Republic of North Macedonia remains well defended

Bulgaria extends a hand to the Republic of North Macedonia, but our position remains well defended and argued, the cabinet on January 5 commented on a letter from the Macedonian Bulgarians.

Lena Borislavova, a government spokeswoman, said:

"Bulgaria's position will continue to be well defended, as well as argued, but we are also reaching out to start a truly constructive dialogue, upgrading the existing framework with a proposal to form five working groups, which you already know about, and in fact, this visit by Ms. Vessela Cherneva (foreign policy adviser to the PM) is part of the preparation and organisation of this process."

Organisations of the Macedonian Bulgarians called on Bulgaria to continue to defend its firm position on the case with the Republic of North Macedonia. In a letter to President Rumen Radev, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and National Assembly Speaker Nikola Minchev, the organisations called on the authorities not to make concessions on the issue of their equality in the Republic of North Macedonia.

The organisations Ivan Mihailov Cultural Center - Bitola, Tribuna Association - Prilep, Macedonian-Bulgarian Friendship Association - Skopje, Corridor 8 Association - Skopje, Interaction Association - Skopje, Edinstvo Association - Kocani and Political Party The Civic Democratic Union also calls for the procedure for amending the Constitution of Bulgaria’s southwestern neighbour to begin immediately, so that Bulgarians are added on an equal footing with all other nations and parts of nations.

On the eve of the 30th anniversary from the date, on which Bulgaria first in the world recognised the independence of the then Republic of Macedonia, Macedonian Bulgarians hope politicians and societies on both sides of the border will find the wisdom to continue their European path together.

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Bulgaria’s foreign policy adviser to the PM, Vessela Cherneva, on January 2 was on a visit to Skopje in relation to the preparation for the upcoming meeting of Bulgaria’s PM Kiril Petkov in Skopje this month.

PM Kiril Petkov announced that after the new cabinet in Skopje is sworn in, he will meet with the new Prime Minister in the Republic of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovachevski, who will succeed Zoran Zaev.