January 18 (BTA special correspondent Ivan Lazarov) -  
At a joint news conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril
Petkov in Skopje on Tuesday, the Prime Minister of the Republic
of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski, said that Bulgaria has
agreed to use the name "North Macedonia" instead of "Republic of
 North Macedonia". He described this as a big step towards the
new chapter in bilateral relations and as leading to greater
bilateral cooperation.

The news conference took place after a tete-a-tete meeting
between Petkov and Kovacevski, held within Tuesday's visit to
Skopje of the Bulgarian Prime Minister and a government
delegation led by him. On the delegation are Foreign Minister
Teodora Genchovska, Transport and Communications Minister
Nikolai Sabev and National Assembly Deputy Chair Kristian
Vigenin.

"Macedonians and Bulgarians are very close brotherly peoples.
That is why we are beginning to solve the open [bilateral]
matters to build a new future," Kovacevski went on to say at the
 joint news conference. In his words, they have agreed that
Bulgaria will accept to use the name "North Macedonia", for
which a note has been sent to the UN. Also, the bilateral
cross-border cooperation agreement for 2022-2029 will be
finalized, which will lead to the opening of the Klepalo border
control checkpoint, Kovacevski said.

It has been agreed to hold a joint sitting of the two
governments in Sofia on January 25, Kovacevski also said.   

"Here you can always expect to be among good friends,"
Kovacevski told the Bulgarian Prime Minister. He recalled that
Tuesday's visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of the
recognition of his country by Bulgaria.

Prime Minister Petkov said that within 60 days there will be
direct flights between Sofia and Skopje. The exact parameters
will be ready within 30 days, he specified.

He said Bulgaria respects the self-determination of citizens in
North Macedonia as well as all languages listed in the
Constitution. "We will continue to approach these matters in the
 spirit of utmost respect," Petkov noted.

Petkov and Kovacevski agreed that bilateral working groups will
be set up in various domains: infrastructure, economy, trade,
business-to-business exchange, education, culture, and history
and education. Kovacevski commented that these domains are
considered to be most important for the future of the citizens,
particularly young people. The groups will comprise not just
politicians but also professionals active in the respective
domains. "Work of high intensity is planned in these areas. The
groups will update the public on what has been achieved and what
 can be expected in the future," Kovacevski explained.

He noted that the history commission already has a working plan
and should provide information about what it has agreed based on
 the relevant methodology and the facts.

Taking a journalist's question about language use, the Prime
Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia recalled that the
two countries have agreements signed in their respective
official languages. "Our Macedonian language is part of the
United Nations Charter and the other multilateral constitutions
and organizations to which we belong."

Kovacevski went on to say: "Progress in the work of the
commissions will mean a better life for all citizens and greater
 closeness between the citizens of our two countries. Matters of
 history will be lower on the agenda. At the top of the agenda
will be the building of good relations between the citizens and
the strengthening of cooperation between them, which will give
us enough impetus and arguments to make the final step forward
to achieve concord with Bulgaria and finally see the beginning
of the EU accession negotiations with Macedonia."

According to Petkov, every week there will be a meeting of one
or another of the newly established groups. In this way, the
groups will prove that "goodneighbourliness is not just a matter
 of political talk but will yield real results". "We are
focusing on every opportunity to enrich our relations," Petkov
noted.

Summing up the results of his visit, the Bulgarian Prime
Minister singled out two main successes: the North Macedonia
name note sent to the United Nations and the real prospect of
launching a scheduled air service between Sofia and Skopje
within 60 days.

The note to the UN says that the Republic of North Macedonia is
the same thing as North Macedonia, and the name refers to the
territory of the country, which has no territorial claims. This
implies that Bulgaria can safely use the short name, North
Macedonia.

As for the air service, the details are to be sorted out in the
next 30 days, and the service itself can go into operation
within 60 days, Petkov said. He said the project ought to make
business sense, which can be achieved by using the Sofia-Skopje
service as a connection to other destinations.

Also within 60 days, North Macedonia will send an ambassador to
Bulgaria who will be proactive, young and business-minded,
Petkov said. The country has not had an ambassador to Bulgaria
since 2020.

The sides have drawn up a schedule of meetings for the five
bilateral working groups. Their work will be coordinated by the
Foreign Ministry, Petkov said. Each group will meet once a
month, which practically means there will be a meeting every
week.

"The fate of our countries depends on us. When trust is at the
basis, the results will come more quickly," Petkov told
Bulgarian journalists after meeting with Prime Minister Dimitar
Kovacevski and President Stevo Pendarovski.

The rights of those North Macedonia citizens who have Bulgarian
self-awareness will be a top priority, Petkov said, expressing
hope that hate speech will be abandoned. He noted that during a
visit to the BTA Press Club in Skopje, Prime Minister Kovacevski
 showed his personal commitment to resolving the matter when he
asked to be notified about any acts of vandalism against
Bulgarian symbols or property in North Macedonia.

The Government Information Service said that Petkov's visit is a
 clear sign of the Bulgarian Government's determination to open
new dialogue with Skopje and the next steps to be outlined that
the two countries need to take to solve the open bilateral
matters. DS/VE

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