We Have No New Claims Towards Republic of North Macedonia
09 October 2020 News
„If our relations are not good, who will suffer? The citizens of both countries will. Populist rhetoric can get you a few extra seats in Parliament but geography remains. As do neighbours; moreover when they are your most ardent supporters.“
These were the words of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva as she received today the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani following his request.
The main topic of discussion was the inception of the negotiations of Republic of North Macedonia for membership in the EU, the support of Bulgaria and the performance of the Treaty of Friendship, Good-neighbourliness and Cooperation signed in 2017.
Ekaterina Zaharieva highlighted that Bulgaria has always been the strongest supporter of Republic of North Macedonia on the European path of the latter. During its Presidency of the Council of the EU, thanks to Bulgaria, the enlargement and the European perspective of the Western Balkans countries were brought forward as a key topic in the EU agenda for the first time in 15 years.
„Bulgaria was the first state to recognise the independence of the then Republic of Macedonia. Bulgaria has long accepted modern-day political realities, has always supported the independence and the state sovereignty of Republic of North Macedonia, has never had any territorial claims and has never denied the right of its neighbour’s citizens to self-determination. Just as Bulgaria has accepted contemporary realities, so too there needs to be recognition on the part of Republic of North Macedonia of political realities in terms of the process of the creation of the new national identity,“ our Foreign Minister said.
She highlighted that membership in the EU does not come along overnight but instead takes a lot of reforms and is based on individual merit and strict fulfilment of the relevant criteria and conditionalities. It is important for Bulgaria that Republic of North Macedonia follow the path of democratic development and reform, be a NATO ally, and in the future – an EU member.
The national position of our country with respect to the European integration of Republic of North Macedonia is well known and has been unchanged for years. For Bulgaria, the full and irreversible compliance with the Treaty of Friendship, Good-neighbourliness and Cooperation is a key condition for progress of Republic of North Macedonia on the path to EU membership.
This was the first bilateral visit of Bujar Osmani abroad in his capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of North Macedonia.
„This visit reinstates political dialogue after a prolonged hiatus, and I hope that with it the work in the spirit of openness, friendship and good-neighbourliness will continue, for this is the spirit to be shared by two so close states and neighbours,“ Ekaterina Zaharieva said.
The two ministers agreed on a new start of the implementation of the bilateral Treaty, with a specific plan to be developed for all spheres of mutual interest – economy, energy, education, security, environment, defence, transport and infrastructure. On Bulgarian part the importance of accelerating the construction of Corridor 8 as a sign and token of the will to promote connectedness between us was underlined.
„The generations to come will not forgive us if we miss the moment and fail to go back to fulfilling what was agreed back in 2017,“ the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister said. „It is the Treaty of Friendship, Good-neighbourliness and Cooperation that opened the path to NATO and to the decision from March 2020 on launching the negotiations for EU membership of Republic of North Macedonia,“ added she.
The resumption of the work of the Joint Committee on Historical and Educational Affairs, suspended nearly one year prior on the part of Republic of North Macedonia was also discussed. Minister Zaharieva expressed hope that with the creation of a positive political environment the constructive dialogue would be resumed.
„Our shared history should not put us apart but instead be a main drive for having even closer and friendly relations. A future built on mutual trust and fulfilment of commitments benefits both countries. With wisdom, courage and will we would be able to overcome the delay in fulfilment,“ Minister Zaharieva said.
„We are ready to work together with Bulgaria on the path to the European Union and we expect your support,“ Bujar Osmani said. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of North Macedonia expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit Sofia. He assured that good neighbourly relations are among his priorities as minister and that he will promote bilateral relations at political and expert level alike.
The two ministers also discussed the situation with the spread of COVID-19 and the consequences of the pandemic during which Bulgaria had proven a true friend. We provided assistance to some 16 thousand citizens of Republic of North Macedonia to cross the territory of Bulgaria; we donated highest-grade medical protection supplies and supported the most vulnerable social groups of citizens in Republic of North Macedonia.
The topics included also the joint presidency of the Berlin process for the Western Balkans and the upcoming Sofia Summit on November 10. The expectations are that the event send a very strong signal of support for the Western Balkan countries.
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