Premier Petkov: We will work for a rapid progress in our relations with North Macedonia
"Yesterday’s meeting of the National Security Advisory Council was timely and useful", Bulgaria’s Premier Kiril Petkov said in a video address. According to Kiril Petkov, "the National Security Advisory Council showed that all participants share a common goal- overcoming the standstill in our relations with the Republic of North Macedonia".
"The government will begin work on implementing the program in various areas, and the rights of Macedonian Bulgarians will be at the heart of its efforts", Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said.
After a 6-hour session of the National Security Advisory Council in the Presidency, the government was instructed to adhere to the 2017 Treaty on Friendship, Good Neigbourliness and Cooperation, the positions of previous governments and the Declaration of the 44th National Assembly from 2019 when it comes to talks with Skopje on North Macedonia's EU integration.
The parliamentary represented parties decided that the agreement to start negotiations between Skopje and the EU was not bound by deadlines, but by achieving actual results, including those for protection of the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia.
The executive power has also been instructed to make steps aimed at speeding up the construction of Corridor №8 together with North Macedonia and Albania.