Skopje, 28 October 2021 (MIA) – The Government reacted Thursday to actions and statements coming from neighboring Bulgaria that Macedonian citizens see as not being friendly. The Government says it understands the pre-election political situation in Bulgaria and the tangled electoral process, but adds this should not produce political messages for campaign purposes that go beyond the framework of European values and principles of respect, on which the Friendship Treaty is founded. A solution is possible only through dialogue that North Macedonia is prepared for, and it is time Bulgaria demonstrated the same. In the 2017 treaty, North Macedonia and Bulgaria said they would discourage provocations that do not serve the interests of both parties, they would not enter a circle of insults, accusations and hate speech, which are not beneficial for anyone, least for the Macedonian and Bulgarian people, the Government says in a press release. Instead, it adds, the Treaty obligates parties to the maintenance of European dialogue and its full implementation, including the fundamental principle of non-interference in the countries’ internal affairs. We understand the pre-election political situation in Bulgaria and the tangled electoral process, but this should not produce political messages for campaign purposes that go beyond the framework of European values and principles of respect, on which the Friendship Treaty is founded. Such tones are not seen as friendly by the Macedonian people. Non-interference in domestic affairs is a principled position and we expect the same from our neighbors, notes the Government. It says that reaching agreements and the commitment for their realization is required to reconcile nations and states in the region, so they live in permanent peace, develop permanent friendship, as is the case with all other neighbors. We remain committed to the dialogue with Sofia and a mutually acceptable solution for the issues that have been raised. The Republic of North Macedonia has shown proactive approach and political will to clarify certain dilemmas and offered a response to most of the raised issues. We have continually worked on active implementation of the agreement. Solutions lie not in the past but the future, and the future requires dialogue not monologue for internal use. When it comes to an EU member-state and a country that has been acknowledged as meeting all the required criteria for the start of accession negotiations, dialogue is the only solution to bilateral issues and mutual understanding, says the Government. It underlines that North Macedonia is prepared for this dialogue and it is time Bulgaria demonstrated the same.