Bulgarian foreign minister Daniel Mitov: Bulgaria strictly supports the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Macedonia

SOFIA, 26-8-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — Bulgaria strictly supports the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Macedonia. I believe that all Western Balkan countries belong in a united and strong Europe, and Bulgaria is ready to support the efforts of the Republic of Macedonia to fulfill the conditions for integration into the EU and NATO. With these words Minister Mitov addressed the representatives of the Macedonian diplomatic corps who gathered in Skopje for the Annual Ambassadors’ Conference. Minister Mitov and his Albanian counterpart Ditmir Bushati were special guests of the conference at the invitation of the Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki.

In his address, minister Mitov highlighted the priorities concerning the development of Bulgaria’s relations with the Republic Macedonia, the challenges facing the region and the means of cooperation on key matters of mutual interest.

The foreign Minister focused on the serious refugee flow to Europe and the Western Balkans. He said the region needs to be far more integrated in order to cope with the growing challenges arising from the migratory pressure. We are ready to support the efforts of the Republic of Macedonia to obtain logistical and financial aid from the EU institutions in order to deal with the situation. This problem affects both the EU and the region, and therefore our common efforts for cooperation and exchange of information have no alternative, Mitov said.

For his part, Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki emphasized that the participation of his Bulgarian and Albanian counterparts at the conference represents a strong and clear signal that both their countries are willing to support the Republic of Macedonia on its path to NATO and the EU. Poposki called for holding regular high-level meetings, which could contribute to achieving progress on regional and European matters. The ministers underlined the necessity for improving transport, energy, and infrastructure connectivity throughout the region in order to ensure sustainable economic development, foreign investments and better competitiveness of their economies.

The Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, the Republic of Bulgaria, and the Republic of Macedonia, Ditmir Bushati, Daniel Mitov and Nikola Poposki, adopted a joint statement. They stressed that the respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty, and good-neighborliness is of fundamental significance for the long-term stability and security of the region. The joint statement of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs.

Minister Mitov’s program includes a conversation with Fatmir Besimi, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia in charge of European Affairs.

SOURCE: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria

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Bulgarian foreign minister Daniel Mitov: Bulgaria strictly supports the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Macedonia