Sofia, 18 July 2022 (MIA) – The Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia signed bilateral protocol under Article 12 of the 2017 Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation that marked the end of a difficult negotiation process in which both governments showed courage and political will to overcome their differences, the Bulgarian government said in an official statement. This decision fully protects the rights of the Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia and the Bulgarian national interest, MIA’s Sofia correspondent reported on Monday. “That is why it received the broadest possible support in the National Assembly of Bulgaria, including from the opposition, which is positive assessments of the efforts of the Bulgarian Government and the guarantees for our country's interests,” reads the official statement. The official statement adds that a new chapter is opening in the relations between the two countries and our peoples, which will lay the foundations for mutual trust and respect, strengthen ties in all areas and bring people from both sides of the border even closer together. The Bulgarian Government expects for continuation of the dialogue, intensified since the beginning of 2022, in the fields of economy, infrastructure, energy, culture, education, etc. The citizens of Bulgaria and North Macedonia will get to know each other better when there are pathways, trade development, exchange of cultural events, the official statement reads. “With no borders between us, but with respect for each other, that is the European way of developing together. We have no illusions that this solves all the problems between the two countries, but we believe that we now have a clear basis built on European values and principles to resolve issues between us,” it reads. At the same time, with the signing of the protocol and after the implementation of the corresponding constitutional amendments, North Macedonia's path to EU accession negotiations is open, the statement reads, adding that Bulgaria has always been and will continue to be one of the biggest supporters of the EU enlargement policy. Bulgaria is thankful to all its European partners, who showed their trust in it, and demonstrated their understanding of the Bulgarian position and the application of the principles in practice,” reads the official statement.