Skopje, 1 July 2022 (MIA) – Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj says historical issues that are mentioned in the section of good neighborly relations do not represent a benchmark in the negotiating framework by any means. “Good neighborly relations are generally a benchmark but not a reason for blockade in such a devised proposal. We have a framework in place – annual reviews – for settlement of differences with Bulgaria, but none of this is a formal benchmark of the European Commission or has any influence on the negotiations in any chapter,” Deputy PM Marichikj told Kanal 5 TV. He adds that the protocol is already out of the negotiating framework, whereas the annual reviews are not content but mechanisms for implementation of the agreement, based on annual meetings. “These annual meetings are attended by the governments of North Macedonia and Bulgaria and nothing can be imposed by anyone. This is a bilateral mechanism for settlement of differences,” says Marichikj. He says good neighborly relations have been part of the negotiating framework since 2009, while adding that bilateral agreements with neighbors should be respected since they have been ratified in the Parliament, followed by their implementation.