Statement by the MFA
12 June 2018 News
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria welcomes the agreement achieved between the government of the Republic of Greece and the government of the Republic of Macedonia as regards the latter’s name.
This offers an opportunity for the European and the Euro-Atlantic integration of Bulgaria’s neighbouring country to commence. Coming towards the end of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, it provides an actual chance to achieve progress and a possibility to open accession negotiations.
The Republic of Bulgaria recognised the Republic of Macedonia with its name as enshrined in its constitution as early as January, 1992, and the new name, Republic of Northern Macedonia, is therefore not to be interpreted as a basis for a possible change to the country’s present borders, or as demands towards its neighbours concerning language, culture, history, and identity.
The MFA will insist that our two neighbours and friends guarantee that their agreement will serve to unambiguously state and confirm the two principles stated above.