A correspondence of the BNR regarding the statement of the Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Ana Paula Zacarias, reported by the correspondent of the BNR in Brussels Angelina Piskova, caused a stir in Skopje. The Premier of North Macedonia Zoran Zaev promised that North Macedonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs would verify the authenticity of the statement, reported BGNES. In Brussels, Ana Paula Zacarias said that Bulgaria’s position should be respected and that no disagreements should be introduced in the EU.

“It is a very difficult debate, particularly for Bulgaria. It has to do with history, the cultural identity, the identity of the two countries and cooperation for the future. North Macedonia had to endure difficult negotiations with Greece. Remember that they changed the name of the country. And so it is very difficult, because they are also connected with Bulgaria in terms of culture, in terms of language. So it has to do with the North Macedonian language being once part of the Bulgarian language and the cultural dimension of the two countries”, reads the statement of Ana Paula Zacarias.