Bulgarian Parliament ratifies Friendship Agreement with Macedonia

The National Assembly of Bulgaria Thursday ratified the Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation Agreement between Bulgaria and Macedonia. It was backed unanimously on first and second reading.

The agreement signed on August 1, 2017 by the two countries’ prime ministers is a legally binding document which provides a solid basis for good neighbourly relations and cooperation, BTA informs.

On January 15, the Macedonian Parliament ratified the Agreement by a vote of 61 in favour and one abstention.

Macedonia and Bulgaria’s premiers, Zoran Zaev and Boyko Borisov respectively, signed the friendship treaty on Aug. 1, 2017. Both officials declared upon signing of treaty that it aimed at strengthening the countries’ friendly relations, advancing good neighborly ties, establishing versatile mutual relations in compliance with the international law. Treaty is a result of a five-year negotiation process of the working groups of two countries’ Foreign Affairs Ministries and represents an upgrade of 1990 treaty, MIA reports.