Let's Be Friends, Sofia Says to Skopje

Views on BG | March 12, 2010, Friday // 11:38|  views

by Svetlana Jovanovska

WAZ.euobserver.com

Friday, March 12, 2010

Bulgaria and Macedonia are edging towards a sounder basis for their sometimes acrimonious relationship. Sofia has proposed signing a treaty on good neighbourly relations, which would include cooperation in the fields of energy, economy and infrastructure, but also on minority and hate speech issues that have often poisoned bilateral politics.

A first such proposal by Sofia in 2008 came to nothing due to mutual mistrust. It was renewed last November during a visit by Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov, but kept confidential until now.

The Macedonian government said it would seriously review the proposed document and would inform Bulgaria of its position as soon as their analysis is finished. In Sofia, a foreign ministry spokeswoman told the Macedonian Dnevnik daily that Bulgaria considered the paper a basis for negotiations. "We hope the Macedonian authorities will treat it in a substantial way so we can start negotiations soon", said Vesela Cherneva.

The relationship between the two countries is in a sequence of ups and downs. Bulgaria was the first country to recognize the independence of the Republic of Macedonia in 1991. But Skopje and Sofia do not always share the same view on certain aspects of history. While Bulgarian historians generally regard Macedonians as being of Bulgarian origin, Macedonians consider themselves a separate ethnic group.

Minority questions divide too. Bulgaria does not recognize any minority on its territory and Macedonia claims there is no Bulgarian minority in the country. In both states, groups of people claim the opposite. These disputes have led to bitter exchanges between politicians or aggressive media articles against the respective neighbour.

Since Bulgaria's entry into EU in 2007, Skopje has been afraid Sofia will condition its support for Macedonia's EU accession on acceptance of its position on the points of dispute. Ms Cherneva rejected such suspicions. "Sofia treats this question as part of the instruments for good neighbourly relations but not as a condition for Bulgarian support."

"The best way to resolve bilateral problems is the bilateral way. It is not a good idea to take it to the European institutions or the framework of EU membership negotiations", said Antoinette Primatarova said, a programme director at the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia.

In addition to wide-ranging cooperation, the draft proposal suggests eliminating mutual hate speech and jointly celebrating some historical events.

"This opportunity should not be missed. Both countries have to talk openly about the problems that burden their relations. Macedonia should refrain from steps that could irritate Bulgarian public opinion," said Gjorgi Spasov, Macedonia's former ambassador to Bulgaria and presently professor at the European University in Skopje.

"It is always possible to find a civilised and coherent manner of discussion. It is important to know that the agreement foresees this as an obligation for both countries," says Mr Spasov.

The Bulgarian initiative comes after the announcement by the presidents of both countries that they will organise a round table to discuss the issues that burden their relations. The Bulgarian government also hopes to become a coordination centre for the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU.

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Tags: Bulgaria, macedonia, sofia, Skopje, treaty, Nikola Gruevski, Boyko Borisov, minorities, hate speech

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