Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Svetlan Stoev has held bilateral talks with EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, and Spanish counterpart, José Bueno. At the regional forums Union for the Mediterranean and the meeting of the EU and the partner countries of the Southern Neighborhood in Barcelona, views were exchanged on the prospect of starting negotiations for EU membership with the Republic of North Macedonia.

Minister Stoev pointed out Sofia's proactive efforts for resolving issues with Skopje, in order to guarantee the rights of citizens of North Macedonia with Bulgarian identity and the implementation of the 2017 Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation. We expect clear guarantees from the Republic of North Macedonia, the Minister pointed out.