The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met in Sofia with the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Rosen Plevneliev, and the President-elect of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Rumen Radev.

The meeting concluded that the agreement on the good neighborly relations between Macedonia and Bulgaria should not be an obstacle to the development of bilateral relations, because we are two friendly and neighboring countries that are connected by many things from the past and have a common future.

- The agreement between our two countries has not yet been finished. Many years have already passed to align the text, because it tends to be symmetrical and both parties to be satisfied, President Ivanov said after the meetings.

He expressed hope that with the new Bulgarian government some minor dilemmas will finally be solved in the words and nuances of formulations which will complete this long process of alignment and we will have the final agreement.

- Bulgaria is the fifth trade partner of Macedonia. Without infrastructure, highways, without railway, we have achieved so high trade which affects both economies, our citizens and the relations between the institutions, President Ivanov said.

He pointed out that with his Bulgarian colleagues he was and remains open and a great friend for all questions.

- Conversation and dialogue can lead to solutions. And yet, personal relationship, I repeat, always opens all doors, President Ivanov stressed.

At the meeting, President Ivanov wished successful term to the President-elect Radev and invited him on an official visit to Macedonia.

- I hope that the visit will be realized and that it will further encourage and strengthen the already established relations, President Ivanov said.
The Macedonian President assessed the working visit to Bulgaria as successful.

- I had a constructive and useful discussion on issues of interest to both countries and all the challenges that we face as neighbors. In this context, he pointed to the experience of the other countries in Europe where there is good regional cooperation.

- Very useful to us was the experience we had with the refugee crisis and the exchange of information between the two countries, which stressed confidence in our institutions. I hope this will continue with the new president, President Ivanov said.

The meetings also focused on the upcoming elections in Macedonia and in Bulgaria.

- Elections are ahead, we should choose a new assembly, a new government, probably already in spring there will be elections in Bulgaria too, they will need to choose a new Assembly and hope that the new government and new ministers will continue and many questions will be closed, President Ivanov said.

In his statement, President Ivanov said that BAS and MASA are an example of how two scientific institutions approach all issues that burden the relations between our two countries.

- We have a lot of things from the past that still hamper our relations, but the Academies showed maturity to discuss all issues. When confronted with arguments, facts and scientific approaches, you can find an answer for each question. It is a positive example that I emphasized and I think it should be followed by other institutions, President Ivanov said.

The declaration of "Doctor Honoris Causa" by the Bulgarian Academy, as President Ivanov said, is the result of this collaboration, but also of the gained trust in the work of the two academies.

- I have received many awards, but when it comes from a neighbor it has a special importance, the Macedonian President stressed.