GERB leader and former PM of Bulgaria Boiko Borisov emphasized the importance of upholding the Treaty of Friendship, Good-Neighbourliness and Cooperation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, speaking to journalists at the Bulgarian National Assembly, BGNES reported.

"We firmly insist that the Good-Neighbourliness Agreement with North Macedonia be fully respected," Borisov stated. He emphasized that the ongoing provocations from North Macedonia serve no one’s interests.

"I spoke with António Costa (President of the European Council), with several colleagues, with Manfred Weber (President of the EPP), and with members of the European People’s Party. We have a Good-Neighbourliness Agreement — the so-called 'French proposal' — and we insist that everyone abides by it. Any provocations that are being made are not in anyone’s interest. The foundational document for our modern relations is the Good-Neighbourliness Agreement," Borisov noted.

He further pointed out that while North Macedonia has yet to enshrine the rights of Bulgarians in its Constitution, Bulgaria has already issued more than 100,000 passports to citizens of North Macedonia.

The Treaty of Friendship, Good-Neighbourliness and Cooperation was ratified by the Parliaments of the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Bulgaria on January 15 and 18, 2018, respectively. | BGNES