site.btaBulgarian, Macedonian Defence Ministers Sign Two Protocols of Intent

Sofia, November 2 (BTA) - Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov and Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Radmila Shekerinska signed two protocols of intent here on Thursday.

One of the protocols is on cooperation in the field of Air Force activity, and the other is related to support for laboratory tests of fuel, lubricants and special-purpose liquids.

Shekerinska is paying an official visit here to discuss the development of bilateral defence cooperation.

"Bulgaria supports Macedonia's bid to join NATO and the EU," Karakachanov commented at a news conference on Thursday, adding that since the two countries signed a Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness there have been no contentious issues between them. "As far as we are concerned, a problem with the name of the Republic of Macedonia is nonexistent," he said.

The Deputy PM recalled that the Western Balkans are the key priority of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council.

The two defence ministers also discussed social cooperation and joint exercises of the two countries' special forces and ground troops. "At the pace at which we have been working over the last couple of months, we will manage to sign other agreements as well," Karakachanov commented. "Basically, we seek to deepen cooperation in the field of social policy and in training of Macedonian servicemen at our higher military educational establishments," he pointed out.

Shekerinska said that the two talked about some very concrete areas like training of members of the Macedonian Armed Forces, organizing joint training and sharing experience in defence reforms and Euro-Atlantic integration.

She noted that the activities demonstrate that the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness signed is not just a piece of paper but a platform on which successful cooperation in multiple areas is being built.