Bulgaria's support for Macedonia's EU membership bid is not unconditional, even though Sofia is ready to be the engine of Skopje's EU integration, President Plevneliev told his counterpart Gjorge Ivanov on Monday.

Ivanov is in Bulgaria on Wednesday and Thursday and met the Bulgarian head of state on the second day, the Bulgarian President's press office has announced.

Plevneliev called for the Neighborhood Agreement between the two countries to be signed to give "a new incentive to bilateral relations and to speed up the EU integration process for Macedonia."

He also warned Bulgaria should overcome "the sensation that anti-Bulgarian campaigns are periodically held in Macedonia" and once more urged the two countries to jointly mark some important historical anniversaries.

"It is time for new relations between Bulgaria and Macedonia," Ivanov said for his part, insisting alongside Plevneliev that bilateral issues hindering the agreement should be dealt with quickly.

Both agreed the building of regional transport and energy links needs to be sped up so that Southeast Europe is transformed and cross-border trade, investment and tourism are encouraged.

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