Prime Minister Zoran Zaev met Monday with Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov in Sofia with whom, according to the government press service, they discussed the future cooperation between the two countries for which the interlocutors concluded that after signing the neighborhood and friendship agreement, there has been steady growth in all areas.

At the meeting, it was also discussed creating conditions for increasing the trade with mutual reduction of customs rates.

Zaev at the meeting expressed his gratitude for the continued support of the Republic of Bulgaria for our country’s NATO and EU membership, as well as for Bulgaria’s readiness to share the experience on all issues related to preparations in the accession period and for the efficient use of European funds in this stage of negotiations.

With a view to implementing the neighborhood and friendship agreement, Prime Minister Zaev said that as a result of the work of both committees for joint celebration of historical events and personalities, soon in the Republic of Macedonia, a monument to Colonel Konstantin Kavarnaliev, eminent figure in the history of Bulgaria from the period of the First World War, will be restored near Dojran.

The prime ministers also discussed the preparations for the second intergovernmental session, which is due to take place in Bulgaria this year, and the joint business forum, held in Skopje, was assessed as an additional impetus for economic cooperation as a top priority for the citizens and the business communities of both countries.

At the meeting, it was concluded that cross-border cooperation is intensifying and that all necessary efforts will be invested in the stable trade exchange of almost 600 million euros to reach an amount of 1 billion euros.

Interlocutors pointed out that the continuity of the construction of the road and railway infrastructure of Corridor VIII remains a capital interest for the two countries. They also discussed the implementation of the agreement with Greece after the ratification in Athens, after which the members of the alliance will sign the protocol for NATO membership, whereby the formal use of the new constitutional name – the Republic of North Macedonia will enter into force.