site.btaPrime Minister Borissov, North Macedonia Counterpart Zaev Discuss Friendship, Goodneighbourliness and Cooperation Treaty in Skopje

110 POLITICS - PM BORISSOV - NORTH MACEDONIA VISIT

Prime Minister Borissov, North Macedonia Counterpart Zaev
Discuss Friendship, Goodneighbourliness and Cooperation Treaty in Skopje

Skopje/Sofia, August 1 (BTA) - Prime ministers Boyko Borissov of Bulgaria and Zoran Zaev of North Macedonia discussed in Skopje Thursday the benefits for their countries stemming from the implementation of the Friendship, Goodneighbourliness and Cooperation Treaty, the Bulgarian Government's press service reported on Thursday.


Borissov stressed Bulgaria's desire to develop close and friendly relations, corresponding to the two countries' common history and closeness between citizens.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister noted that the results achieved in the past year on issues related to common history exceed many times over what had been achieved in the preceding 20-plus years.

He was adamant this is not enough, but a reason for active and serious work in the future. Borissov discussed the work of the multidisciplinary expert commission, noting the need for new dynamics in its activities, which could lead to fast and concrete results.

"I hope that historians don't just not get in the way, but make huge efforts and find the right way of expressing history, which can unite us," Borissov told journalists after the meeting. The two prime ministers also discussed economic development and transport connectivity during the meeting. The focus fell on Pan-European Corridor VIII, which is a priority for both countries. Borissov voiced confidence that construction could be sped up, including by seeking additional possibilities for financing.

The Bulgarian Government leader noted that Bulgaria's and North Macedonia's upcoming joint presidency of the Berlin Process next year shows that the EU appreciates when the right path is taken.

"Things were accomplished in the past two years that could not happen for decades before that. A huge perspective was given to your country on the path to the European Union and NATO, with the joint efforts of the governments of Greece, of Bulgaria and of the Republic of North Macedonia," Borissov said, adding that there is nothing better than the Republic of North Macedonia being part of NATO and the EU. The two countries' delegations also met after the one-to-one meeting between Borissov and Zaev.

The two government leaders also participated in a wreath laying ceremony at Gotse Delchev's grave in the Church of the Ascension of Jesus (Sveti Spas) in Skopje.

Prime Minister Borissov also conferred with North Macedonia's President Stevo Pendarovski later on Thursday.

Bulgaria has always been consistent in its support for the Republic of North Macedonia's European perspective, Borissov said, quoted by the information service of the Bulgarian government.

Borissov noted that Bulgaria is prepared to provide strong support for the start of pre-accession negotiations with the EU in October of 2019. "Meanwhile, we expect to see progress and results from the work of the multidisciplinary expert commission on the matters related to our common history," Borissov added. The Bulgarian Prime Minister and President Pendarovski agreed that politicians should not intervene in the commission's work. Prime Minister Borissov gave as an example the upcoming opening of the renovated monument of Colonel Konstantin Kavarnaliev. "It is important that this does not remain an isolated event, but instead becomes the first step towards building a common future based on our common past," he said. Borissov stressed the importance of implementing the Friendship, Goodneighbourliness and Cooperation Treaty, noting the practical aspects of this document could bring many positive results for the relations between the two countries.

The Treaty was signed during Borissov's visit to Skopje on August 1-2, 2017. The document entered into force on February 14, 2018, when the two countries' foreign ministers exchanged the ratification instruments at the Council of Ministers' Granite Hall in Sofia.

The Treaty's signing gave impetus to the sustainable development of friendly and goodneighbourly relations and contributes to enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation, to the broadening of transport links and communications, to facilitating contacts between the two countries' citizens, the press release recalled.

Borissov and Pendarovski also discussed the possibilities to speed up construction of the Pan-European Corridor VIII, which is of exceptional importance for the region's transport connectivity. The discussion also focused on the huge existing potential in the area of tourism, which the two countries can develop further, Cabinet's press service said. IG/MY
/TH/