Bulgaria should support Macedonia in its European integration, but not at the expense of Bulgarian history and identity, said Bulgarian President Rumen Radev at the start of his meeting with the Joint Multidisciplinary Expert Commission on Historical and Educational Issues between Bulgaria and  Macedonia.

Radev expressed gratitude to the committee members for the results achieved so far, but also expressed concern that the last meeting in Sofia ended without progress on the disputed issues.

Next month may be crucial in our relations, as the EU Council may decide to start accession negotiations with North Macedonia. If you can guarantee that within a month the Commission will resolve all disputes, then the Bulgarian Government can continue with the policy of unconditional support for North Macedonia’s EU membership, Radev said.