The Bulgarian Head of State conversed over the phone with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier

In its dialogue with the Republic of North Macedonia, Bulgaria defends not only national interests, but above all the values of the European Union, which are based on democracy and respect for human rights. This is what President Rumen Radev said today in a telephone conversation with the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The talk took place on the initiative of the German President on the eve of the EU-Western Balkans Summit to be held in Slovenia on 5 and 6 October.

The whole region will benefit from progress in the process of European integration of the Republic of North Macedonia, Rumen Radev said, adding that Bulgaria expects specific results in terms of respect for human rights in its southwestern neighbour, which will accelerate this process.

"A census is underway in the Republic of North Macedonia and Bulgaria is receiving a number of alerts about pressure on people who openly express their Bulgarian identity, which is unacceptable for an EU applicant country," Rumen Radev said. The President also stressed that the numerous declarations and promises made by the state leadership of the Republic of North Macedonia to Bulgaria over the years remain unfulfilled, including the bilateral Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation signed in 2017. Therefore, this country insists on legally binding guarantees from the Republic of North Macedonia in the bilateral dialogue.