President Rumen Radev held a bilateral meeting in Brussels with the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Zoran Zaev. The Minister of Defence Mr. Georgi Panayotov also participated on behalf of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Nikola Dimitrov, Minister of Defence Radmila Šekerinska and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani participated on behalf of the Republic of North Macedonia.

 

The perspective of achieving tangible advancement in the process of the Republic of North Macedonia’s European integration was the focal point of the discussion between Mr. Rumen Radev and Mr. Zoran Zaev. The Head of State emphasised the principle and consistent support for the European perspective of the Republic of North Macedonia, as well as the expectation of Bulgaria for this process to be promoted with a direct and active political dialogue for solving issues in bilateral relations. A visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia to Sofia in the coming days was agreed upon.

 

Both Mr. Rumen Radev and Mr. Zoran Zaev noted the positive sign in relations between the two countries with the joint visit to Rome and the Vatican in May to honour the work of the Holy Brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius. The shared will to achieve sustainable and irreversible results in building bilateral relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, in line with the expectations of citizens of both countries, was also expressed.

 

Bilateral cooperation in the field of security and defence, along with the opportunity of broadening cooperation in the field of military exercises were also among the topics of the discussion between Mr. Rumen Radev and Mr. Zoran Zaev in Brussels.