Macedonian Deputy PM and Defense Minister Radmila Sekerinska spoke in Sofia yesterday with her Bulgarian counterpart Krassimir Karakachanov. The visit was monitored closely not only because it was the first one of a Macedonian diplomat of that level after the signing in August of the Good-Neighbor Treaty, but also because of the strong positions that Mrs. Sekerinska has as a Deputy Chair of Macedonia’s Social Democratic Union within the new government. Yet another reason for this enhanced interest to the visit was the fact that the major interlocutor of Sekerinska in Sofia – Krassimir Karakachanov is also a leader of the nationalistic VMORO organization, known for its good, but often critical comprehension of the situation within our western neighbor.

The signing of two protocols came as a direct result of the visit for the defense sphere. The first one was for development of cooperation between the Air Forces and the second was for cooperation in the lab researches of fuels, lubricants and special fluids. It looks like the content negotiated and contracted is humble, but it shows that the bilateral military cooperation now enters concrete areas. The ministers have also spoken of the training of Macedonian military personnel at Bulgarian facilities which is a sign of increased mutual trust. Joint reforms and exercises were also discussed, as well as experience exchange in regard to defense reforms and the Euro-Atlantic integration processes. According to Minister Sekerisnka, the cooperation with Bulgaria brings Macedonia closer to NATO standards.

At a moment when Skopje puts any effort in the acceleration of its Euro-Atlantic integration, Krassimir Karakachanov declared firmly that the Bulgarian government not only upholds the joining of Macedonia to NATO and the EU, but it would also continue to present the country as the best possible candidacy from the region of the Western Balkans. The minister confirmed that bilateral relations had marked significant positive change since the signing of the treaty in August, adding meaningfully that there were no issues to argue on anymore.

At the same time the statements of Karakachanov made it clear that perhaps Sofia had changed its attitude towards the problem with the name of Macedonia. The denouement of the dialogue between Skopje and Athens looks like coming to an end over the forthcoming months. By declaring that ‘we have no problem with the name Macedonia’, Karakachanov made some people think whether Sofia didn’t give up its reserves to a possible name of Macedonia, including a geographical definition, thus indirectly suggesting territorial claims to Bulgaria. In the words of Karakachanov Bulgaria also had some abilities to support the solving of the issue. The minister didn’t dive into details, but that was understandable, given the discretion of the dialogue on the name.

However, we might expect more detailed reading of some of the announcements we heard during the visit of the Macedonia’s Defense Minister to Sofia over the joint sitting of both governments in Strumica, Macedonia which will be held in a couple of weeks only, on November 23^rd. Yesterday’s talks between the defense ministers in Sofia might be taken for part of this event’s preparation.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev