The Head of State meets with President of the Republic of North Macedonia

Bulgaria expects the expressed willingness for dialogue and understanding on the part of President Gordana Siljanovska to become a consistent policy of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia. This is the position of Head of State Rumen Radev, who today held a meeting in Sofia with the President of North Macedonia. The President of our southwestern neighbour is in Bulgaria on the occasion of the visit of the North Macedonia National Opera and Ballet, which will present in Sofia the opera "Nabucco" by Giuseppe Verdi. During the meeting, President Radev stressed that the dialogue at the highest level between the two countries should be active and should stimulate the work of the governments, business, as well as bilateral exchanges in the fields of education, science and culture.

Bulgaria has always been open to dialogue with North Macedonia and expects it not only to help bilateral cultural rapprochement and economic cooperation, but also to resolve the outstanding issues in our relations. They should be resolved on the basis of the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation, the protocols signed to it and the European Council Conclusions of the summer of 2022, adopted with the unanimity of all EU member states and the consent of North Macedonia, Rumen Radev stressed. The Head of State added that this is the way to open the negotiation process for the full European integration of our neighbour in the interest of the young people in the country in particular, and this will be a positive sign for the whole region.  

President Radev also called for much more active joint efforts by Bulgaria and North Macedonia to build the Transport Corridor 8, which is of key importance for connectivity and security in Southeast Europe and will create qualitatively new conditions for business, tourism and will encourage investments in the region.