Minister Vigenin met with DUI leader Ali Ahmeti
09 July 2013 News
"Bulgaria and the other member states of the region will be a real part of the EU, when all the countries of the Western Balkans, including Macedonia, join the Union. When we are all together in a single economic space that is guided by common democratic values and the rule of law, then we can provide a better future for its citizens," Minister Kristian Vigenin said at a meeting today with the leader of the Democratic Union for Integration, Ali Ahmeti, who is visiting Bulgaria.
Bulgaria's Foreign Minister emphasised that signing a treaty on good neighbourliness is one of the elements on which depend the next steps in the European integration of the Republic of Macedonia, together with the implementation of internal reforms in response to the recommendations of the European Commission. However, in parallel with the negotiations on the Treaty, it is important to plan joint initiatives to enhance trust between the two countries.
"We've always been interested in the relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia being friendly, because, first of all, we are neighbours. There's no reason to build barricades between our two countries," Ali Ahmeti said. We need to sit down and talk, because when there is dialogue, there may be a compromise that would lead to a solution, he said.
Kristian Vigenin and Ali Ahmeti shared the understanding that peace, security, stability, good neighbourliness and economic development of the region are of paramount importance. "If we look backwards, we will not make use of the unique opportunity that the EU provides. Membership sometimes requires compromises that each member state has had to make for the sake of a better future,"the Bulgarian Foreign Minister said.