Bulgaria Hails Planned Good-Neighbor Treaty with Macedonia

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin has spoken in favor of the planned good-neighbor agreement with Macedonia.

During a meeting with his Macedonian counterpart, Vigening pointed out that such an agreement would be beneficial for both countries, “and especially Macedonia.”

The Bulgarian Foreign Minister noted that signing a good-neighbor agreement with Bulgaria would be a step forward in Macedonia’s efforts to receive a date for the start of EU accession negotiations.

Bulgaria and Macedonia share a common past and a similar language.

Relations between the two countries 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.