President urges parliament to send a letter to US Congress regarding a draft resolution that envisages September to be proclaimed by congressmen as the month of Macedonian culture, language and heritage

 

Bulgaria needs to deploy a much more active information and awareness-raising campaign both at home, but especially abroad, to clarify the truth in counterpoint to the exportation of Macedonism abroad. This is what President Rumen Radev said at the conclusion of the National Conference "European Perspective on Good Neighbourly Relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia" held today. The forum, held on the day marking the 119th anniversary of the death of the great Bulgarian revolutionary Gotse Delchev, was held under the patronage of the Head of State. 

 

The President called on the National Assembly to send a letter to the US Congress in connection with the draft resolution, which provides for September to be proclaimed by congressmen as the month of Macedonian culture, language and heritage. According to the President, as a corresponding institution to the US Congress, the Bulgarian Parliament should justify the necessary actions so that the historical truth is protected. Only with the truth can we resolve all outstanding issues with our fellow citizens from the Republic of North Macedonia, Radev said. 

 

Skopje's road to the EU cannot bypass Sofia and we need to find these common crossing points, Rumen Radev said, adding that for this to happen, an awareness campaign is also necessary. For this purpose we need a national strategy, a clear policy, a clear programme, a Bulgarian Cultural Institute, policies and resources to ensure this forward movement, the President added. 

 

In Rumen Radev's words, only by pooling the efforts of historical science, diplomacy, journalism, politicians and public figures can the open issues with the Republic of North Macedonia (RNM) be resolved. The Head of State pointed out that last year the caretaker government had developed a comprehensive strategy on how Bulgaria should work with the institutions and the citizens of the RNM so that the rapprochement process could happen faster. Although the goals set in the strategy have a cost, the Bulgarian government has promised several times but has not allocated the envisaged funds, the President noted.

 

The President summed up that all the participants in the forum were united around the position that the European integration of the RNM is a strategic goal for Bulgaria, but it should be based on the development of good neighbourliness and not on externally imposed deadlines. There must be clear guarantees for the rights of the Macedonian Bulgarians, for the protection of our history, our cultural and historical heritage, and the protection of the Bulgarian national interest, President Radev said in his summary of the conference.  In the President's words, many more efforts are needed to achieve the necessary guarantees and this should happen in a frank dialogue with the institutions of the Republic of North Macedonia. 

 

The Bulgarian state, at various levels, including the top level, is beginning to return to its most important functions - to defend the rights of its citizens, wherever they are, and to work for their progress, well-being, dignity and self-confidence, Rumen Radev said. The President added that during the forum it was not only important but also exciting to hear the opinion of the representatives of the Macedonian Patriotic Organization in the United States and Canada about the historical truth 100 years later. 

 

The Head of State pointed out that the Macedonian Bulgarians have 'become bolder' to defend their interests and rights, having felt the support of the Bulgarian state when together with the caretaker governments the essence of the problem with the Republic of North Macedonia and the compliance with the Copenhagen criteria was formulated.