PM Kiril Petkov: Bulgarian government awaits National Assembly decision on North Macedonia

The Bulgarian Prime Minister briefed the participants in the forum on the domestic political situation in the country, including the debates on the French EU Council Presidency's proposal concerning the start of negotiations on North Macedonia's European membership. Kiril Petkov pointed out that a meeting of the parliamentary committee on foreign policy is scheduled for today to discuss the issue. The government awaits the decision of the Parliement, the PM said.

PM Kiril Petkov in Brussels: I will keep my word on North Macedonia, I am tired of cowards!

The Heads of State and Government of the EU Member States reaffirmed their unequivocal support for the integration of the Western Balkans and the desire for even closer cooperation against the backdrop of the common challenges stemming from the Russian aggression against Ukraine. A wide range of geostrategic issues were discussed, including positions on the EU's common foreign and security policy.

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov expressed gratitude to the French presidency of the Council of the EU and to European Council President Charles Michel for organising the meeting.

"Today we have gathered to reaffirm at the highest level the EU's commitment to the economic, political and social transformation of the Western Balkans, which is crucial for the region's integration into the European family. The EU has always supported its closest neighbours, including in difficult moments, such as the Covid crisis. No other region has benefited more from the EU's expert and financial support," the Bulgarian Prime Minister said.

He outlined a number of areas of cooperation that could have a high degree of added value for deepening bilateral relations. In the field of energy, Kiril Petkov stressed the need to complete without any delay the missing energy infrastructure to guarantee supplies in South-Eastern Europe.