Skopje, 22 September 2021 (MIA) – The roadmap, the country’s short and long name, non-interference in internal affairs and the negotiating framework, which is within EU’s jurisdiction with Bulgaria, are the concrete steps we are working on, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev stated Wednesday. “I hope we’ll complete them by the end of the year,” Zaev told reporters when asked about the concrete steps Bulgaria’s leaders have asked Skopje to take during their meetings yesterday with the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Oliver Varheyi. I believe, he added, for months back we have been building friendship, trade is on the rise, there have been investments from and in the two countries, cooperation among institutions has become more visible and infrastructure is becoming better. The PM explained that a diplomatic note needs to be prepared first reading that the short name is the same as the long one – North Macedonia is the same as the Republic of North Macedonia – that the country has no territorial ambitions, and it will not interfere in internal affairs. As regards minority rights, “because they are the citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria, they have their rights as it is organized in all European countries and in the Republic of North Macedonia,” Zaev stated. Cooperation among the institutions in multiple sectors, including infrastructure, education, labor and social affairs, culture and sports, and healthcare, is also included. According to PM Zaev, hate speech should be prevented and the institutions should be focused on building friendship rather than on provoking hostility. He expressed readiness Bulgaria to be made the second partner, in addition of Greece, to patrol North Macedonia’s airspace. Regarding monuments, Zaev said that most of the monuments in Bulgaria and North Macedonia should be in the spirit of friendship. “Fascism must not have ethnic dimension,” he stressed. ‘Bulgarian’ in the inscription ‘fascist occupying forces’ has been already removed from several monuments in the country. Asked about history textbooks, PM Zaev said they won’t be changed, but there have been discussions about terms where Bulgaria is named as fascist occupying force. “The name of a nation is not mentioned across Europe, but it is described as occupying force. We expect it to be done in the spirit of friendship, cooperation and good neighborly relation,” he stated. We, Zaev noted, have also identified some shortcomings in Bulgarian textbooks and Bulgaria is also ready to do the same, because it is the only way to build friendship. EU Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi paid a working visit to the Bulgarian capital Sofia yesterday for meetings with the country’s top officials. Talks also focused on North Macedonia’s EU integration process. The top state officials reiterated Bulgaria’s position on the issue with North Macedonia, demanding Skopje to demonstrate concrete steps and guarantees that it will implement the Friendship Treaty.