What happened at the Meeting between the Leaders of Bulgaria and North Macedonia

Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia have agreed to use the country's short name - North Macedonia. This became possible after Skopje sent a note to the UN stating that the name refers to political unification, but not to the geographical region, part of which is part of Bulgaria's territory. This became clear after the meeting of the prime ministers of the two countries Kiril Petkov and Dimitar Kovachevski in Skopje.

Kovachevski thus pointed out that his country has no territorial claims to Bulgaria.

Good neighborliness from now on will be measured in real steps, said Kiril Petkov.

I can clearly say that the Sofia-Skopje air-line will be a reality and within 30 days we will have the exact specifics, explained Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov.

Within 60 days, the Skopje-Sofia flight - suspended after 2 years of unsuccessful operation 2007-2009 due to lack of passengers - will be a fact, the two prime ministers announced.

The working groups that have already been announced and have been agreed on: on business, education, infrastructure connectivity, and European integration issues.

The next meeting will be on January 25, and every week the working groups will meet with clear goals, with clear results, and not just political statements, added Kiril Petkov.

The two prime ministers reiterated their understanding that the historic commission would work better in a new context when the other working groups announced concrete results of their work to the public on a weekly basis. They demonstrated friendly relations by embracing each other at the beginning of the welcoming ceremony.

Kiril Petkov answered clearly that identity and language in the Republic of North Macedonia are issues resolved with the...