Sofia, 3 October 2021 (MIA) – Bulgaria intends to resume the course it has had in its relations with North Macedonia, that is to protect its national interest the best way it can, Bulgarian Prime Minister Stefan Yanev has stated. According to him, Bulgaria’s national interest is also related to the interest of other EU nations, MIA’s Sofia correspondent reported. “It shouldn’t be allowed the dispute between the two neighboring countries to be spilled over in the EU. Bulgaria has to focus on dialogue and constant communications with the authorities in the Republic of North Macedonia,” PM Yanev told BNT adding: “We shouldn’t bury ourselves in the past, we must be seeking solution for the future.” Bulgaria’s claims, he noted, have been heard enough by both the Macedonian side and its European partners. “Bulgaria wants normal dialogue, it wants to eliminate hate speech and the practice of encouraging hatred toward Bulgaria. The country wants to put an end to the ill treatment of people having Bulgarian self-consciousness in North Macedonia. It is the way to seeking the real formula,” said Yanev adding he hoped it will happen in the near future. Dialogue will get new meaning by the end of October and November following the elections in North Macedonia and Bulgaria, according to him. “Bulgaria will not change its position, it had been established by the National Assembly,” Yanev said pledging his country will not be blackmailed.