Sofia, 8 November 2022 (MIA) – Bulgaria is interested in restoring the positive agenda in the relations with North Macedonia, something that has been lost in the past months, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Milkov told Tuesday’s joint press conference with his Macedonian counterpart Bujar Osmani in Sofia. Milkov pointed out it was a paradox to have a vision for the development of the region and bilateral relations, to have a mechanism for resolution, i.e. the 2017 Friendship Treaty, the Protocol, but at the same time create an atmosphere that is not positive for the development of relations between the two countries, MIA’s Sofia correspondent reports. “And this is what we plan to overcome with this visit by intensifying the dialogue between the two ministries and the two countries,” said Milkov. He noted that talks with Osmani focused on all the obstacles facing the two countries, on the clubs, the inclusion of Bulgarians in the Constitution, adding that they also discussed about positive topics which seem to have remained in the shadows. Milkov mentioned the high trade exchange as the most important, which is expected to reach EUR 1 billion by the end of the year. Osmani added that the two also discussed the dynamics of the work of the intersectoral groups, which were formed at the last joint government session, expressing his belief that there are a number of areas in which cooperation can be intensified. He mentioned energy, agriculture, tourism, health, etc. “As a good example, I would like to point to the cross-border cooperation between the two countries, where we can ascertain one hundred percent use of program funds, i.e. 164 projects with a total value of over EUR 38 million. And with the new cycle approved by the EU, projects of similar amount will be financed, including the strategic border crossing Klepalo-Strumjani in the amount of EUR 9 million, which the population from both sides of the border is eagerly awaiting,” said Osmani. He added that he has briefed Milkov on the work of the coordination group for the implementation of the measures from the Protocol, which he is in charge of. Osmani welcomed the efforts of the initiatives and the cooperation of the authorities to strengthen the cooperation plan at the level of culture, through cultural exchange and the cultural and informational centers in Skopje and Sofia, as a real way for cultural and social promotion.