site.btaPresident Plevneliev:Good Neighbourliness Agreement with Macedonia Will Give Fresh Impetus to Bilateral Relations

President Plevneliev: Good Neighbourliness Agreement with Macedonia Will Give Fresh Impetus to Bilateral Relations

Sofia, October 8 (BTA) - Meeting with visiting Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov on Thursday, President Rosen Plevneliev said that Bulgaria truly wants and is ready to be a driving force for the European integration of the Republic of Macedonia, Plevneliev's press secretariat said. The President noted that the progress of any Balkan country in this process will be a success for the entire region.

Plevneliev reiterated that Bulgaria's support for Macedonia's EU integration is not unconditional and urged for speedier work for signing a bilateral Good Neighbourliness Agreement, which he said will give a fresh impetus to the bilateral relations and will speed up the integration process.

"For Bulgaria it is very important to overcome the perception that anti-Bulgarian campaigns are periodically conducted in Macedonia," Plevneliev said. He urged for joint celebrations of notable persons and events of the common history. The President recalled that Bulgaria has good neighbourliness agreements with many of its neighbours in Southeast Europe and today builds with them productive and mutually beneficial cooperation.

"It is time for new relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia," Ivanov said. The two heads of State urged the foreign ministries of Bulgaria and Macedonia to solve the disputed questions in the negotiations process for signing a bilateral good neighbourliness agreement.

Both Presidents took a stand in favour of speeding up the work on the regional transport and energy connections, which will change the outlook of Southeast Europe and boost trade, investments and tourism.

The two officials concurred that the unprecedented migratory pressure on Europe requires cooperation and joint actions.