NEWS

Iliana Iotova holds a session with the President of our western neighbour Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova

 

Bulgaria expects the Republic of North Macedonia to meet the European criteria for membership in the European Union. This was stated by Head of State Iliana Iotova at a meeting with the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova. The two held talks on the sidelines of the Summit of the South-East European Cooperation Process, hosted by President Iotova.

 

The head of state emphasised that the Republic of North Macedonia must fulfil the 2022 French proposal, which she herself signed and which became the common European position on the Republic of North Macedonia’s accession to the EU. Iliana Iotova stressed that these are European criteria for membership, not Bulgarian requirements. To begin negotiations, Skopje must fulfil its commitments by including Bulgarians in its Constitution. President Iotova insisted that the rights of Macedonian Bulgarians be respected and that hate speech in North Macedonia be put to an end.

 

During the conversation, which was also attended by Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivanka Tasheva and Republic of North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski, the head of state raised the issue of the need for medical treatment for 23-year-old Iva Mihaylova, who was injured in an accident. Her identity documents have been confiscated due to the ongoing investigation into the accident, and she is not permitted to leave Kochani, but she requires medical treatment in Bulgaria.

Albulena Haxhiu expressed her gratitude to President Iotova for Bulgaria’s support on Kosovo’s path toward membership in NATO and the European Union.

Iliana Iotova raised the issue of depopulation in the area along the Bulgarian-Serbian border and highlighted the need for investment to counter the adverse demographic trend.

The conversation took place on the sidelines of the Summit of the South-East European Cooperation Process

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