Working visit of Minister Daniel Mitov to the Republic of Macedonia
14 June 2015 News
The working visit of Minister Daniel Mitov to the Republic of Macedonia started today with a meeting in Skopje with the ambassadors of Germany, UK, USA, Italy and the Head of the EU Delegation. The internal political situation and the prospects for the settlement of the political crisis topped the agenda of the discussions. The talks focused on the results of the negotiations between the political leaders of June 2, as well as of June 10 held with the mediation of the EU. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister urged for a strong commitment of the EU and the Euro-Atlantic community for resolving the political crisis and for the implementation of the necessary reforms in the Republic of Macedonia.
The participants in the meeting agreed on the importance of the swift return of the Republic of Macedonia to the road of the European and Euro-Atlantic integration. One of the conditions for solving the existing problems in the Republic of Macedonia is the adherence with the principles of good neighbourly relations. Minister Mitov voiced Bulgaria's readiness to provide for the implementation of reforms.
Later in the day, in Tetovo, Daniel Mitov conferred with the leaders of the two main Albanian parties in the Republic of Macedonia- Ali Ahmeti, leader of the Democratic Union for Integration, and Menduh Thaçi, leader of the Democratic Party of Albanians. At these meetings, Bulgaria's top diplomat stressed the importance of ethnic stability and praised the mature political behavior demonstrated by the Albanian community in the current crisis.
Minister Mitov focused on the need of a permanent political dialogue for solving the political crisis and voiced hope that the negotiations between the leaders of the main parties will continue. In this critical moment, there is a need of consensus between all political parties, as well as active inter-ethnic dialogue. The implementation of reforms requires a clear political responsibility towards the process by all participants and the civil society, he added. They discussed the details of the political agreement reached on June 2 and emphasized the need for its implementation.
The participants also discussed the bilateral relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia. Ali Ahmeti and Menduh Thaçi voiced support for the swift signing of the Treaty on good neighborly relations between the two countries. The two leaders reaffirmed that there is no alternative to the European and Euro-Atlantic perspective of the Republic of Macedonia.
Later on Sunday Minister Daniel Mitov is expected to hold talks with the President of the Republic of Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov and Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki in Ohrid. On Monday he will be received by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and will also meet with the opposition leader Zoran Zaev.
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