Minister Svetlan Stoev talks with EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhely
21 September 2021 News
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Svetlan Stoev confirmed to the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhely the principled position of Bulgaria in support of the European integration of the countries of the Western Balkans, including the Republic of Northern Macedonia.
During a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Várhely, who is on a working visit to Bulgaria, Minister Stoev stressed the continuity in the policy of the caretaker government regarding the European integration of Republic of Northern Macedonia, arising from the Declaration of the National Assembly of 10th October 2019 and the Framework position adopted by the Council of Ministers on 9th October 2019.
Our Foreign Minister acquainted the EU Commissioner with the current developments in the bilateral dialogue with Skopje, emphasizing the efforts of the Bulgarian side to restore confidence at all levels, as well as the series of expert consultations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs held in recent months at Bulgaria's initiative.
"Bulgaria remains consistent in its support for the European path of the countries of the Western Balkans, including Republic of Northern Macedonia. Guided by this position, we have invested serious efforts to maintain an open and full-fledged dialogue with our neighbours and restore trust in relations between us," said Svetlan Stoev. At the same time, he stressed that in order to support the start of accession negotiations between Republic of Northern Macedonia and the EU, Bulgaria needs tangible actions and guarantees for the lasting and irreversible implementation of the 2017 Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation.
We expect Republic of Northern Macedonia to show political will to overcome the differences. Bulgaria, for its part, remains actively engaged in seeking opportunities to resolve outstanding issues.