Bulgaria Reiterates Support for Macedonian NATO, EU Entry Bid

Diplomacy | July 28, 2013, Sunday // 16:28|  views

Bulgarian PM Plamen Oresharski (L) met with his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski on Sunday. Photo by BGNES

Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski has reiterated his country’s support for Macedonia’s efforts to join NATO and the European Union.

Oresharski, who met with his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski on Sunday, declared that Bulgaria is willing to sign a friendship treaty with Macedonia, adding that he hoped the treaty would be produced swiftly.

“I would like to underline that Bulgaria supports Macedonia’s NATO and EU membership,” the Bulgarian PM told reporters, reiterating that his country also backs the bids of all other Western Balkan countries.

Relations between Bulgaria and Macedonia have been strained since late 2012, when Bulgaria joined Greece in vetoing an EU decision to set a starting date for accession negotiations with Macedonia.

Bulgaria's grievances are against discrimination in Macedonia against citizens who determine themselves as Bulgarians, as well as against Macedonia’s encroachment on parts of Bulgaria's historic and cultural heritage.

Negotiations for a friendship treaty are under way between Bulgaria's and Macedonia's foreign affairs ministries.

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Tags: Skopje, sofia, Kyustendil, friendship treaty, EU, Macedonian, macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, Plamen Oresharski, NATO, European Union

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