site.btaDefence Minister Karakachanov Holds Working Meeting with Macedonian Counterpart Sekerinska

Sofia, May 4 (BTA) - Bulgaria supports and actively works for the Euro-Atlantic integration of Macedonia, Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov said, quoted by his Ministry, after a working meeting Friday with his Macedonian counterpart Radmila Sekerinska. Karakachanov said that among all countries from the Western Balkans who have stated a wish to join the European Union and NATO, Macedonia is the country which has solved positively the highest number of problems and is in the most advanced stage in its preparations for membership.

Sekerinska noted the importance of the two-day informal meeting of the EU Defence Ministers taking place in Sofia, stressing that the event is very important not only for Bulgaria but for the Western Balkans as well. The guest thanked for the "constant support" of the Bulgarian government to Macedonia and its bid to join NATO. "This is very important support, especially when rendered by a neighbour," Sekerinska said. She noted that the Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation Treaty between Bulgaria and Macedonia has not remained on paper only. "If you look at the activities in the defence, you will see that the treaty opened many doors," she said.

Sekerinska said that the participation of a representative bloc of the army of the Republic of Macedonia in the military parade in Sofia for May 6, the Day of Valour, shows the importance of the good neighbourly relations.

A joint training will be held in May between the special forces of Bulgaria and Macedonia.