English
The positions of Macedonia and Bulgaria regarding issues related to European integration remain far apart, said Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski following his meeting with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova in Sofia. He described the meeting as constructive and held in a positive spirit, noting an agreement to continue the dialogue between the two countries on all matters of mutual interest.
There is a high degree of mistrust between the two sides regarding Macedonia’s European integration process—primarily concerning its predictability. I must be absolutely transparent and clear: we did not resolve any fundamental issue, and our positions remain far apart—there is no doubt about that. However, we held a positive discussion on developing a dialogue between the two countries in the period ahead, and that dialogue will undoubtedly continue, Mucunski said.
After the meeting, Bulgarian Minister Petrova-Chamova stated that Bulgaria supports Macedonia’s European perspective but emphasized that the country must implement the constitutional amendments. Regarding demands for guarantees from Macedonia, Petrova-Chamova noted that the EU accession process is governed by established rules and criteria and that no member state can guarantee any specific future steps in the process.
We are here today to work on better connections for the people of tomorrow,” said European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos upon her arrival at the Corridor 8 conference in Sofia. “Bulgaria is a gateway to Europe for the Black Sea region as well as for Turkey, and the Western Balkans play a crucial role in connectivity,” Kos said. She noted that over 130 projects are being implemented in the region, including the construction of new roads and railways and the improvement of border crossings.”But my vision as Commissioner for Enlargement goes much further. My vision is that one day, the entire Western Balkans will be part of our Europe,” the European Commissioner said.
According to her, the border crossings and transport links being discussed today will then no longer hold the same significance, “because we will be one Europe.One Europe working together—this is the vision we are striving for in Brussels, here in Sofia, in the Western Balkans, and, of course, in the member states,” Kos added.
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