Skopje and Sofia remain committed to constructive dialogue until finding acceptable solution based on European values

Photo: Dimitar Kovacevski / Facebook

The Prime Ministers of Northern Macedonia and Bulgaria, Dimitar Kovacevski and Kiril Petkov after yesterday sorder in Rome announced readiness to continue the dialogue to reach an agreement acceptable to both parties based on European values ​​and with respect for the dignity of the citizens, which Sofia would withdraw veto on the start of negotiations for the country's membership in the EU and would unblock our European path.

After the meeting, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski said that at the moment he could not say whether there was progress in achieving a mutually acceptable document with Bulgaria, but stressed that talks were continuing between the expert teams of the foreign ministries and as soon as there was some progress then announced at ministerial level.

Kovacevski stressed that it was agreed that the talks would continue in order for the foreign ministries to try to reach a document that would be acceptable to both countries and would be the basis for a solution that could be shared with the institutions in both countries, emphasizing that when has such a document it will be presented to the public.

- We did not discuss at all whether there are new conditions from Bulgaria. These are questions that were open before, for them there is already a so-called Portuguese proposal, which is still the basis for talks between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and at this point I can not say about progress in reaching a mutually acceptable document, given that until such a document is reached we can not talk for progress, Kovacevski said.

Regarding the expectations for the upcoming EU Summit in June, Kovacevski stressed that he does not want to be tied to dates, because as he stressed, our country has been a hostage of dates for too long, emphasizing that the start of negotiations does not depend solely on us, but on decision of the 27 member states of the Union.

- Regardless of the outcome in June, the Government and the state have a very clear plan for what will be done in the future, and normally regardless of the outcome we are with Bulgaria neighboring country, we have open issues that will need to be addressed and as soon as came to a solution that will be acceptable then we will announce it, added Kovacevski.

For his part, Petkov said after the meeting that it was most important for the governments of the two countries to continue the constructive dialogue and not to succumb to provocations by some groups trying to increase tensions.

- We have not committed to any deadlines, the only thing we have committed to is to keep the good tone, and for the Ministries of Foreign Affairs to continue working. We promised to keep the constructive tone. We expect in the coming weeks and months different groups that do not want good neighborliness between Bulgaria and the Republic of Northern Macedonia to try to provoke, said Petkov, adding that they confirmed with Prime Minister Kovacevski that the commitment to good neighborliness is important and common.

In a statement to Bulgarian media, he reiterated the need to convene a Bulgarian National Security Consultative Council to discuss everything the governments of the two countries have done so far.

"Only through constructive dialogue will we be able to continue in the direction of good neighborliness that both governments want," Petkov said, adding that he hoped the next step would be the convening of a National Security Consultative Council by Bulgarian President Rumen Radev to consider. everything that has been achieved from the meetings so far.

Earlier in the meeting, Petkov said that lifting the Bulgarian veto on the start of the country's negotiations with the EU could be discussed after the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry presents the latest results of the progress in the dialogue with Northern Macedonia, which will then be submitted to the Bulgarian Parliament, which will discuss and present a clear position on what the Government should do in Sofia.

- Everything else will be used for internal political purposes in Bulgaria. This is a national issue and there should be a broad consensus that will include both the ruling coalition and the opposition. "On a national issue like this, which is so important, no one has the right to decide on their own," said Petkov, who again called on Bulgarian President Rumen Radev to convene a Bulgarian National Security Consultative Council to discuss negotiations with northern Macedonia. As he said, six months have passed since his last meeting, and since then "many things have happened, there have been many talks, there have been many different proposals, there have been many different world leaders who have expressed their views on this topic, there is a lot of information from the services."

Radev, on the other hand, said from Sofia that in order to convene the Council, one should first hear Petkov's position on Northern Macedonia.

- The National Security Advisory Council is a body to assist in dialogue and to seek a common solution to important national issues. Regarding the Republic of Northern Macedonia, not only is there a broad consensus, but it is strongly expressed. The authorities need to be clear about this. "If the dialogue in the ruling coalition itself is disrupted, it should be clearly stated and the reasons for that should be indicated," Radev said.

According to him, the more Petkov's government adheres to the official Bulgarian position presented in the documents adopted by the National Assembly and the last meeting of the Consultative Council, the more it listens to the voice of Bulgarians in Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia.

Regarding whether there are changes in the positions of European partners and whether there is progress in the fulfillment of the Good Neighbor Agreement by Northern Macedonia, Radev stressed that he should hear an assessment from Petkov on these issues, announcing that he will continue to work towards respect for the rights of citizens with Bulgarian self-awareness in the country.

From Tirana, meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Albania and Greece, Olta Dzacka and Nikos Dendias, sent a message that Euro-Atlantic integration is an irreplaceable orientation for the countries in the region.

- Albania and Northern Macedonia have met all the conditions. Hopes still remain that a decision will be made during the French presidency, Xhacka told a joint news conference with Dendias, expressing gratitude for Greece's continued support for European integration.

 

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