Skopje, 13 February 2025 (MIA) - EU Ambassador to North Macedonia, Michalis Rokas, believes that the cooperation between North Macedonia and Bulgaria is important now more than ever. 

Rokas attended on Thursday a conference at the Bulgarian News Agency BTA's press-club in Skopje, organized under the framework of BTA's project "Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills", supported by the European Commission.  

In his address, the EU Ambassador pointed out that the event marks the commitment of both countries to strengthen their bilateral ties and promote regional development, economic growth, and cultural exchange.

This cooperation, he added, is a demonstration of the enduring partnership between the two nations and their shared vision for a stable, prosperous, and European future.

Rokas noted that the integration process is not just about gaining membership, it is about ensuring stability, peace, and shared prosperity for all.

"In the case of North Macedonia, the EU has developed bilateral cooperation frameworks with five of its neighbours: Albania, Kosovo, Greece, Bulgaria, and Serbia. These partnerships are based on mutual respect, shared objectives, and a commitment to finding common ground in addressing challenges. The cooperation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia has deep roots and began even before its official institutionalization through cross-border programs funded by the European Union. In recent years, significant efforts have been made, yielding substantial results. To date, a total of 184 projects have been approved. Out of these, 178 projects have been fully completed, while 6 projects are currently in the implementation phase. Additionally, in the coming weeks, subsidy contracts for 8 new projects are expected to be signed. Achievements have been made in various sectors such as education and culture; environmental protection; tourism and cultural heritage; economic development and business support," said Rokas. 

Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev, Media Information Agency (MIA) Director General Dragan Antonovski, Bulgarian Ambassador to North Macedonia, Zhelyazko Radukov, Vice-Rector at the Bitola St. Clement of Ohrid University Jasmina Bunevska Talevska, Rector at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) Dimitar Dimitrov, Vesna Garvanlieva of the Center for Economic Analyses and Marija Dimishkovska from Educenter also addressed Thursday's conference. 

Photo: MIA archive