Representatives of various sectors who have worked on projects related to the EU's Cohesion Policy participated in a cross-border conference at the National Press Club of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) in Skopje on Thursday. The event was part of BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project.
BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said at the opening of the cross-border conference that BTA brings to Skopje Bulgaria's knowledge of the EU and the opportunities the EU provides for Bulgarian citizens in the Republic of North Macedonia. Thanks to the opening of the National Press Club in Skopje in 2022, the Republic of North Macedonia has been part of the European conversations that BTA has organized with the support of the European Commission for the last three years, he said. Valchev noted that Bulgaria knows what it is like to be in the EU, and BTA is trying to help more people in the Republic of North Macedonia understand it. He also underscored that BTA aims to provide knowledge for Bulgarian citizens in North Macedonia about their opportunities as EU citizens, and cited the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry as saying on Wednesday that "a vast number of citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia have acquired Bulgarian citizenship, recognizing their Bulgarian origin and identity".
Media Information Agency (MIA) Director Dragan Antonovski said one of MIA's main activities is to provide verified information. "We must strive to bring the two neighbouring countries, Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, closer in a European context," he noted, adding that it is true, there are differences between the two countries, but hate speech must be eliminated. "We are trying to dominate as a news agency, which also applies to goodneighbourly relations. We need to know the exact information, and verified sources are essential to us," Antonovski said. He stressed the importance of information exchange between the two neighbouring countries and expressed hope that an annex would be signed to the agreement between BTA and MIA, which will allow North Macedonia's news agency to open a press centre in Sofia in 2025 and to develop more collaborative information products.
Zhelyazko Radukov, Bulgaria's Ambassador to the Republic of North Macedonia, said he was well aware of the importance of BTA's message and role in Skopje. Radukov emphasized that Bulgaria is interested in the joint development of the two neighbouring countries. "The process is not always easy, but we must lay the groundwork, build ties between peoples in order to overcome differences," he said. He stressed that one of the ways to make this happen is through education. "Through knowledge and adequate opportunities for young people, we can achieve social development and normal relations between people in the two countries," the Ambassador said.
Michalis Rokas, Head of the EU Delegation to North Macedonia, said the EU views cross-border cooperation as one of the most important instruments for fostering not only regional development, but also unity and stability. He emphasized that cross-border cooperation is not just a process in which only communication is achieved, but a common process in which prosperity and stability are shared for all, adding that cooperation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia is now more important than ever. Rokas noted that the cross-border conference signifies the two countries' commitment to strengthen their ties and promote regional development, economic growth and cultural exchange. This cooperation is a demonstration of the lasting partnership built between the two countries and their shared vision for a stable, prosperous and European future, he said.
Prof Dimitar Dimitrov, Rector of the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), said that at present, UNWE has 112 bachelor students and two master students from the Republic of North Macedonia. "I really like the name of your project, as the key word here is not education, but knowledge, which includes many things," Dimitrov said about the conference. He pointed out that when people have mobility and students travel to participate in conferences, they also gain knowledge about transport, logistics and culture in the process. "With countries outside the EU it is a little more difficult, because you apply for a separate project, but this is also possible when the universities have good contacts," he commented, adding that difficulties include the recognition of visas and diplomas and the application process as a whole. He expressed hope that the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry will help resolve these issues.
Bitola University Vice-Rector Jasmina Bulevska - Talevska said the university has very good relations with Bulgarian higher education institutions. "Our university perceives Europe as home," Talevska stressed, adding that every semestре students from Bitola University are on exchange at a Bulgarian university. She said that Bitola University is working with the EU-financed Erasmus Programme. "We have met many good friends from Bulgaria under this programme, such as the Bulgarian Consul, who is often our guest, and we are always happy to talk with him," Talevska commented.
Through the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project, BTA aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. The project kicked off with a conference in Veliki Preslav in November 2024. Until September 2025, BTA will host discussions at its press clubs in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences will be held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje, and Thessaloniki. The project builds on the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
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