site.btaBulgaria Watches Political Process in Macedonia with Particular Concern

Bulgaria Watches Political Process in Macedonia with Particular Concern

Sofia, October 22 (BTA) - The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry called for a prompt solution to the political crisis in Macedonia in a special statement issued on Thursday.

"As an immediate neighbour, Bulgaria is watching with particular concern the difficulties in the political process in the Republic of Macedonia, whose main goal is to lastingly overcome the current crisis and the challenges confronting a country which is so close to us," the Foreign Ministry said.

"We have repeatedly declared our general support for the European and Euro-Atlantic prospects of the Republic of Macedonia as a sovereign choice of the nation and a key element in building stability, security and prosperity in our region and the entire European continent.

"Finding a prompt solution to the political crisis is highly imperative and deserves utmost support. It would demonstrate responsibility and commitment on the part of both the incumbents and the opposition towards the European choice of Macedonian society. The status of the Republic of Macedonia as an EU candidate country requires a leadership role of its government and a clear political will on the part of everyone involved to implement the accords of June 2 and July 15. This would create prerequisites for an unconditional return to the process of reforms, which have no alternative in view of the country's European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

"We therefore urge all political factors in the country to act sensibly, responsibly and constructively. We are convinced that the EU remains strongly committed to supporting the efforts to keep up the European course of the Republic of Macedonia and will continue to do what it takes to achieve that goal. Bulgaria is willing to contribute to this, both within the efforts of the European Union, its institutions and the other member states, and on a bilateral basis as part of our traditional support for the European choice of our neighbours," the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said.