Sofia, 25 October 2022 (MIA) – Bulgarian caretaker Foreign Minister Nikolay Milkov met with North Macedonia’s Ambassador Agneza Rusi-Popovska,, saying the compromise resulting from the so-called French proposal, implementation of the 2017 Friendship Treaty and bilateral protocols of the joint intergovernmental committee have set up the mechanism for settlement of existing issues, MIA reports from Sofia. The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release that Milkov expressed satisfaction over the appointment of North Macedonia’s Ambassador to Sofia, thus finally overcoming the deficit in bilateral diplomatic dialogue and opening the path for active work on key issues on the bilateral political agenda. Interlocutors discussed opportunities for development of an effective bilateral cooperation in certain fields, noting a positive trend in trade relations and an increase of bilateral exchange. Milkov also expressed concern over the latest developments in bilateral relations, specifically related to the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia, reads the press release. Milkov and Rusi-Popovska voiced commitment over investing more efforts to overcome the effect of the negative events and restore the positive dynamics in Sofia-Skopje bilateral relations. The Bulgarian FM assured the Ambassador that the MFA would serve as a constructive partner, prepared for direct and open communication on all bilateral issues.