site.btaPresident Radev Makes Working Visit to Macedonia

Novo Selo, Macedonia, May 6 (BTA special correspondent Asen Boyadjiev) - Speaking at a commemorative event in Novo Selo, Macedonia, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said: "We strongly appreciate that the Republic of Macedonia has stated its readiness to restore and maintain the monuments and graves of Bulgarian soldiers and officers." The event was held at a Bulgarian military memorial to mark May 6, the Day of Valour and of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

Radev was flown to Novo Selo by a Cougar helicopter of the Bulgarian Armed Forces and was welcomed by Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov.

Radev said Bulgaria is ready to provide any material support and expertise for the restoration, which is consistent with civilization and with the shared European values.

Seventy-one servicemen who fell in the First and Second Balkan Wars and in World War I are buried in the Bulgarian military cemetery.

"But it is not just here, there are hundreds of more places where Bulgaria's sons who fell in the wars for its liberation and national unification lie buried," said Radev. "The good traditions of modern Europe require that the once-warring States pay homage to their dead together, sending messages of reconciliation and unity," the President said, noting that this civilized spirit was becoming more marked in the Balkans.

Archbishop Stephen of Ohrid and Macedonia held a prayer service at the memorial along with Metropolitan Naum of Strumica. The National Guard Orchestra played the national anthems of Macedonia and Bulgaria before the service.

Bulgaria's Andrey Kovatchev, Todor Chobanov, Monika Panayotova, diplomats, military officers and many young people attended the ceremony.

Afterwards Radev held an informal meeting with his Macedonian counterpart in Dojran. They discussed many aspects of bilateral relations and ways to boost economic exchange, tourism, education and people-to-people contacts. Radev affirmed Bulgaria's support for Macedonia's EU perspective.

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Talking to reporters before leaving for Macedonia, President Radev said: "The Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation Treaty between Bulgaria and Macedonia has opened a new chapter in our history, and it is only up to us what we will put down in it. I wish courage to politicians on both sides of the border so they can work for the spirit, not the letter, of this Treaty."

The President's press secretariat quoted Radev as saying: "I am confident that our common thousand-year history will triumph over the ideological confrontation which was maliciously programmed into our relations in the last few decades. We owe these efforts to our ancestors."