Skopje, 10 January 2022 (MIA) – Lack of understanding and cooperation between North Macedonia and Bulgaria have a negative effect on the business environment and bilateral trade. Development of economic cooperation, projects and investments will pave the way to a solution, says Kiril Lazarov, president of the Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce. Lazarov says in an interview with Lokalno there was an upward trend in bilateral economic relations up until the first Bulgarian veto, noting that the current situation only pulls the two nations further apart. “There is no political crisis but misunderstandings that are incompressible to the entire world that follows the process, and this leads to animosity and distrust among the people. Businesses will not want to invest in a country that has no clear roadmap and EU perspective, Berlin Process or not. The Bulgaria blockade inflicts serious economic damage because it deters investors. This is a poor tactic by Bulgaria, namely their political elite. However, in the light of future relations and new political formations in Bulgaria, but also strategic interests of the United States and the European Union on the Balkans, I can say that things will move in a more positive direction, there is no alternative to this,” says Lazarov. On next week’s visit of Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov to Skopje, he says there is no other way but breakthrough in mutual relations. “It’s not whether we should do this or want this, the new world dictates we must do this. Oftentimes, Bulgaria wants to say it holds the key, that Macedonia’s road leads through Sofia, which is fine, but this means that they also hold the responsibility for a possible instability or interference of other regional and geopolitical forces that don’t share the same EU values. One cannot be the landlord without having responsibility. Sofia also holds the key of whether these people cooperate or hate each other, and the one having this key is accountable for the consequences. I believe that Brussels and Washington hold the key, but when will we say enough to outside facilitators? We are mature enough to reach an agreement by ourselves if the European spirit prevails,” underlines Lazarov. According to him, it is important that politicians decide to move forward, looking towards the future instead of the past, friendship instead of hatred. “Relations focusing on the economy not history, European not Balkan spirit, we can all benefit from this. We can learn a lot from Bulgaria when it comes to the use of funds for tourism, agriculture, energy, and they can also invest money, capital, interests here, not elsewhere. Strategic partnership is earned not imposed. Finally, the big brother is expected to lend a hand not a blockade,” says Lazarov. The Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce has joined several civil society organizations from Bulgaria and North Macedonia in their open letter to the countries PMs, urging them to overcome misunderstandings, while welcoming the will of Bulgarian PM Kiril Petkov and North Macedonia’s PM-designate Dimitar Kovachevski for changes and use of the coming months in finding a positive outcome.