A change in our relationship is needed by developing our relationship and creating a positive direction.
This was said by the President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, at the acceptance of the credentials of the new Bulgarian ambassador in Skopje, Zhelyazko Radukov, BGNES reported.
According to Siljanovska, "unfortunately, our relations are not at the required level and do not correspond to the life of NATO member countries and in a situation where one is part of the EU and the other is a candidate for joining the European Union".
“A change in approach is needed by developing relationships and making a positive difference. In this sense, I, as the president of all citizens of this country, express my expectation and hope that you, esteemed ambassador, will work to develop cooperation in areas of mutual interest with an emphasis on the challenges of everyday life and the future, "said the president .
"We appreciate the extremely important and complex process of dialogue, which implies rapprochement, building and nurturing of friendship, through mutual respect of two neighboring European countries, and in this sense I consider that respect for dignity, commitments to European integration and good neighborly relations are completely complementary and mutual interests of both sides," Siljanovska said.
At the ceremony for the presentation of the letters of credence, Ambassador Radukov assessed that his mission began under particularly extraordinary circumstances.
The Bulgarian ambassador pointed out that the devastating consequences of the war in Ukraine, the crisis in the Middle East, the consequences of the pandemic, the political and social polarization of the global community have put us at serious risk.
"The best response, we have said over the years, is to unite against every single security threat. By now we have all proven that the value of being strong and together in the face of aggression and adversity is what is valuable. Due to the daily turbulence in our bilateral relations, we seem to forget that our two countries are allies in the most powerful political and military union," said Radukov.
He explained that the two countries' joint membership in NATO has brought them countless benefits.
“However, we didn't get it for free. Our countries have paid and will pay the necessary price to be allies with all our partners, but also with each other," added Radukov, and pointed to Corridor 8 as a project that is important not only for the security of both countries, but also for the Alliance in general.
"As such, it is far removed from any other aspect of our bilateral relations, and its importance should not be underestimated either from a civilian, security, or military perspective," concluded the Bulgarian ambassador. | BGNES
