Talks between Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov were positive, unlike those with his Bulgrian counterpart Ekaterina Zakharieva. What she suggested was not in the spirit of good-neighbourly relations, nor was it European. If nothing changes, we may have to be ready for the possibility that the first intergovernmental conference won’t be held in December, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said Sunday in Probishtip.
“However, I don’t think my friend and Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov or the Bulgarian people share this position. We’ll do everything we can to find a solution. We agreed to the joint history as one aspect of to our past. But, we also have our own history,” the PM told reporters at the launch of Neokazi-Probishtip transmission line.
Zaev expressed assurance that he and Borissov will find a way to resolve issues, so that North Macedonia can carry on the European path.
“I’m convinced we can find a solution to this issue, like we’ve done before. Our dream is to join the EU, which recognizes and fully respects the right to self-determination. We’re Macedonians who speak Macedonian and I believe our neighbours will respect these values,” PM Zaev added.
He also stressed certainty that both Bulgaria and North Macedonia’s Presidents will support the efforts to resolve issues.
“I’m sure Presidents Radev and Pendarovski will support this process to prove that both countries cherish European values of friendship and mutual support. I’ve said before that Borissov has done a lot for Bulgaria, as well as for the Western Balkans. He managed to shift EU’s focus back on this region. He also organized the Western Balkans summit and supported our decision to sign the Prespa Agreement. Bilateral cooperation has been established and will resume,” Zaev concluded.
