site.btaPresident Radev: North Macedonia Should Indicate Its Desire to Be Part of United Europe by Meeting Requirements Set by EU

Speaking to reporters in Rome on Thursday, Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev said that the Republic of North Macedonia should indicate its "desire to be part of a united Europe by meeting all the requirements set by the European Union, as all Member States have done".

The President was paying a traditional annual visit to Vatican City and Italy ahead of the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture and of Slavic Literature, May 24.

Radev said that Bulgaria expects North Macedonia to change its rhetoric as soon as possible, calling for an end to hate speech.

The head of State said that the Bulgarian delegation had not been able to meet with North Macedonia's delegation led by President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, which is visiting Italy and the Vatican on the occasion of May 24. Siljanovska’s office said that she will be received in audience with the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, and will confer with the Vatican's Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on May 23. 

Radev said that his schedule was packed and planned to the minute, adding that he expects a meeting between him and Siljanovska to take place soon. He noted that he held a "very in-depth and friendly conversation with the presidents of Italy, Portugal, and Greece" on Wednesday.

Radev said that "the President of North Macedonia has been invited to Bulgaria throughout the years". Responding to a reporter's question whether he will invite Siljanovska to visit the country, Radev said: "Of course I invite her". 

"I consider the Republic of North Macedonia’s desire for dialogue a positive sign. It is only through dialogue that we will strengthen our trust in each other, resolve all contentious issues, and open the door to the EU for the Republic of North Macedonia. I hope and call for this meeting to take place as soon as possible," Radev said. "It's the President of the Republic of North Macedonia's turn to come to Bulgaria, if I'm not mistaken," he noted.