After talks with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, the new Prime Minister of Macedonia Zoran Zaev, who is currently paying a visit to Bulgaria said: “Today Macedonia is closing a chapter in the history of nationalism and hatred and opening a chapter of the European future.”

Zaev stated that Macedonia and Bulgaria would sign the long-awaited good neighbor agreement on 2 August. The sides also announced that PM Borissov is to pay a visit to Macedonia and the two countries will celebrate anniversaries and prominent figures together; as a mark of respect and friendship the mayors of Sofia and Skopje will name one street in their cities after the late presidents Boris Trajkovski and Zhelyu Zhelev. Bulgaria will assist Macedonia with its experience in the absorption of European funds and will support its desire to open accession negotiations with the EU. PM Borissov commented that Bulgaria supports Macedonia’s accession to NATO and, subsequently, to the EU, the road to which passes through domestic political stability.