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Bulgaria has always been one of the strongest defenders of the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries. This was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ekaterina Zaharieva, in a video speech at the online conference “Western Balkans”, organized by MEP Angel Djambazki.
Zaharieva recalled Bulgaria’s constant support for the Western Balkan countries and stressed that Accession is a bilateral process and the countries of the region must do everything possible to move closer to the values of the EU.to become a key part of his policy and a fundamental principle in his reforms.
She assured that support to the Western Balkan countries will continue, but at the same time he remembered that he was never unconditional. We are very interested in developing good neighborly relations, both with each other in the EU and with the Western Balkan countries.
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“Unfortunately, I will notice that The Republic of North Macedonia did not value our friendly and well-meaning actions. and ignore our warnings about the breach of the contract of good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation on their part, ”said Ekaterina Zaharieva.
Due to this fact, we have been forced not to approve the text of the draft negotiating framework with the Republic of North Macedonia, but nonetheless we remain hopeful. we remain open to constructive dialogue and we believe that together with our colleagues from Skopje we will find a way out of this situation, said the Bulgarian Foreign Minister.
He expressed his hope that this would be easier after calming his emotions. reduce hate speech towards Bulgaria, which in recent months, he said, has been at unprecedented levels.
“2020 is one of the most difficult years humanity has ever faced, and I hope it has taught us an important lesson: that trust, solidarity and friendship are the foundations on which we must build our relationships, and we are so interconnected that we cannot overcome difficult challenges without having this close cooperation, “said Zaharieva, who also referred to the processes and progress in the other Western Balkan countries.
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Skopje authorities refuse to implement the neighborhood agreement, Angel Djambazki commented. According to him, three and a half years have been deliberately lost, in an organized way, by circles in Skopje, who do not want a rapprochement between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, and do not want the country to be part of the EU.
“Today there is much talk about the veto of Bulgaria, no, Bulgaria did not veto or agree to schedule the first conference of foreign ministers, to which negotiations must be formally opened. Bulgaria also has its original and legal foundations for this, based on international law, “said Djambazki.
He noticed that contracts are signed to fulfill, and the contract must be executed correctly and fairly by both parties. When we have non-compliance, sabotage, ill will on the one hand, there is no way for these relations to develop and Bulgaria passes them lightly, closing its eyes, said Djambazki. He said that no one in Bulgaria disputes anyone’s right to self-determination, but simply insists on historical and political correctness.
“The accession of all the Western Balkan countries to the North Atlantic Treaty has no alternative, of course, there is no long-term alternative to joining the EU, but this must happen. only after clarifying all bilateral relations “, Angel Djambazki also commented on the forum.
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Bulgaria has always professed Euro-Atlantic values
We remind you that on November 17, 202, Bulgaria presented its position to start negotiations with the Republic of Macedonia: we support Albania for the EU, but not Macedonia. The General Affairs Council meeting was to take place on December 8, 2020, at which the North Macedonia negotiation process could be decided for the last time this year, but was canceled.
There is a clause in the Association Agreement between North Macedonia and the EU which states that Skopje must abide by the agreements concluded with the member states and the Treaty of Friendship with Bulgaria, so Sofia does not want anything new. The country vetoed us for bilateral problems.
Following Bulgaria’s position to postpone the start of the EU talks with Macedonia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, stated that he was not disappointed with Bulgaria’s decision and that Skopje wanted to continue the talks. negotiations with Sofia. At the same time, VMRO-DPMNE president Hristian Mickovski insisted that Bulgaria should not block EU membership, but rather recognize (some) Macedonian minority.
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