We are building friendship with positive decisions, and with negative bitterness, said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev when asked to comment on the latest statement by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zakharieva, who told Bulgaria’s bTV that Bulgaria is against Macedonia’s start of EU accession negotiations.

Zaev added that the two nations should not be separated by anyone and that the majority of citizens in Bulgaria do not agree with the views of official Sofia regarding the veto on Macedonia.

I am ready and I have prepared the Macedonian people for a possible blockade and that is quite certain. It is more certain in percentages, but still, I never lose hope because the responsibility of politicians is great. Although the General Affairs Council is set for Nov. 17, there is time, until December. By the end of December is the opportunity for the first intergovernmental conference. I expect a cry of friendship from the Bulgarian side, said Zaev.