site.btaDeputy Prime Minister Zaharieva Meets with Macedonian Prime Minister Zaev

Sofia, June 16 (BTA) - "I believe that in the future Macedonia will give all necessary guarantees to Bulgaria," said Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev during a meeting with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva.

The two conferred in Strumica where they attended a production of the 'Iron Candlestick' by the Sofia-based Army Theater. The performance in Strumica was that one before the final one of the company's Macedonian tour, which opened in Skopje on June 11 and ended in Stip on June 16.

Zaev said he was glad that the two watched the performance in his native town which has been made possible with the good-neighbourliness treaty signed by the two countries.

"Since the treaty was signed we have seen a surge of the economy and new Bulgarian investors in Macedonia. This treaty was one of the greatest motivators for reforms in Macedonia and the treaty with Greece," the Macedonian Prime Minister added.

"The treaty with Greece can only reaffirm the treaty with Bulgaria. It contains provisions which reaffirm other treaties."

"Macedonians and Bulgarians have feelings of genuine friendliness towards each other. We, politicians, should serve the public and pave the ground for friendship," said Zaev.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Zaharieva said that eight months after the treaty was signed people have seen that it brings only positive effects and today 70 per cent of Macedonians support it.

She said that Bulgaria and the Bulgarian government stand by Macedonia on its way to the European Union.

Zaharieva voiced hope that a European Council on June 29 will make a decision to begin negotiations with Macedonia on its EU membership.

The Macedonian Prime Minister also expressed hope to this end and said he was happy that his country's progress was taking place under the Bulgarian EU Presidency.

"Today, the Balkans are building a friendship and I am happy that we live at a time when the two countries established such relations," said Zaev.