Bulgaria Prepares Memorandum for Macedonia's EU Future ahead of FM Visit

Flags seen at the Gyueshevo checkpoint on the Bulgarian-Macedonian border. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The Bulgarian cabinet is expected to adopt Wednesday a Memorandum of Cooperation with neighboring Macedonia on its European and Atlantic integration.

The document mandates that Bulgaria will assist Macedonia in its efforts to become a member of the European Union and NATO.

The Bulgarian government hopes to effectively support the integration of its neighbor and to enhance friendly relations between the two countries.

Among the activities foreseen by the memorandum is the harmonization of Macedonian legislation with the acquis communautaire, the training of its civil servants and the boosting of its administrative capacity.

Thursday Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Poposki is going to make an official visit to Sofia, which will be among the very first since his assuming office.

Macedonian press have commented that the trip of the Foreign Affairs Minister is a sign of his intention to warm up ties with Bulgaria.

Among the topics to be discussed is a so-called "Friendship Treaty" proposed by Bulgaria in 2008, which has provoked controversy in Macedonia due to a perceived encroachment on the affairs of the country, and has yet not received an official response from the Macedonian side.

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