site.btaPM Borissov: Bulgaria's Policy towards Macedonia Remains Unchanged; Bulgaria Supports Macedonia's Integration in EU, NATO

PM Borissov: Bulgaria's Policy towards Macedonia Remains Unchanged; Bulgaria Supports Macedonia's Integration in EU, NATO


Sofia, January 16 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said
during Question Time in Parliament Friday that Bulgaria's policy
 towards Macedonia remains unchanged and consistent, and that
Bulgaria has stated on many occasions that this country supports
 Macedonia's integration in the EU and NATO. Borissov also said
that Bulgaria has stated many times its readiness to render
expert assistance to Macedonia along the country's progress
towards membership in the EU and NATO.

The Prime Minister said that Bulgaria expects that Macedonia
will meet all criteria and conditions for EU accession,
including the principle of good neighbourliness. Borissov noted
that only the European integration of the countries in the
region will help foster peace and stability in Southeastern
Europe.

Bulgaria will continue to defend the need for signing a good
neighbourhood and cooperation agreement with Macedonia, Borissov
 said, noting that in Bulgaria's opinion, the agreement does not
 make any additional requirements towards Macedonia and that it
will make the political agreements reached in the statement of
the Prime Minister of 1999 legally binding.

The Prime Minister cited the programme for cross-border
cooperation as a positive example for the cooperation between
the two neighbours, saying that the interaction will continue in
 the new programming period too.

Borissov said that work will be done in the next couple of weeks
 about holding the summit meetings requested by Macedonia.