Bulgaria Support for Macedonia EU Accession Is 'Conditional'

Bulgaria President Georgi Parvanov has stated that Bulgaria’s support for Macedonia joining the EU is not unconditional after speaking to Macedonia’s President, Gjorge Ivanov,

Parvanov held a telephone conversation with Ivanov on Friday, at the initiative of the Macedonian side, the President’s press office reported.

Ivanov stated that he was grateful for Bulgaria's consistent position in support of Macedonia’s EU membership and has asked Bulgaria to support Macedonia’s request to the European Council in December for fixing a date to start negotiations on Macedonia's accession to the EU.

Parvanov endorsed the principly favorable opinion of Bulgaria towards the European future of Macedonia but emphasized that the support of Bulgaria should not be viewed as unconditional, but will depend on Macedonia meeting all criteria for membership, including the neighborly behavior and adherence to European standards on bilateral relations.

The two Presidents agreed to hold the previously delayed official visit of Ivanov to Bulgaria during the second half of December.