site.btaDelegation of European Affairs Committee of Macedonian Parliament Visits Sofia

Sofia, April 19 (BTA) - A delegation of the European Affairs Committee of the Macedonian Parliament headed by Committee Chairman Artan Grubi visits Sofia.

The guests conferred with Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharaieva who offered congratulations for the EC's recommendation whereby Macedonia can start EU pre-accession talks. Zaharieva also expressed satisfaction with the positive tone of EC's report on Macedonia's progress released on April 17 within the EU's Enlargement package. The document praises the Agreement on Friendship, Good Neighbourly Relations and Cooperation between Bulgaria and Macedonia, she said.

Grubi said that Sofia is Republic of Macedonia's gate to the EU, and noted the importance of Bulgaria's support in this. The guest said that thanks to Bulgaria's ongoing efforts, the attitude towards enlargement is much more positive.

Zaharieva re-confirmed Bulgaria's readiness to share with Macedonia its experience and expertise in the process of aligning the national legislation with the EU law and in strengthening the administrative capacity.

The participants in the talks concurred that the new atmosphere of friendship and cooperation between Bulgaria and Macedonia at the political and institutional level has very concrete benefits for the people - 2017 saw the highest two-way commercial exchange so far, while the growth after the signing of the friendship agreement is eleven per cent.