Bulgaria’s Defence Minister is on Official Visit to Macedonia

Bulgaria’s Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov met with his Macedonian counterpart, Radmila Sekerinska, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Republic of Macedonia on 18^th of September. Minister Karakachanov is on a one-day official visit to the neighbouring country.

“Our country has consistently supported the state unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Macedonia, the Bulgarian Defense Minister said during the talks. "We sincerely hope that the Republic of Macedonia will be able to reach a working solution on the name issue as soon as possible, which will open a new page in NATO and EU relations," the Minister said and stressed that Bulgaria fully supports Macedonia's entry in NATO.

"We are ready to assist in the political and practical aspects in which the country needs additional support," Karakachanov said.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed the issues of bilateral defense co-operation. Minister Karakachanov stressed that Bulgarian experts could help in drafting a strategic review of the Republic of Macedonia's defense.

Opportunities for training of Macedonian soldiers in Bulgarian military educational establishments were also discussed.

Special attention was paid to issues related to the logistics of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia.

In the course of the talks, Minister Karakachanov said that for the Republic of Bulgaria it is important to preserve the military-historical heritage and the past and the honour to dead should not divide the two countries should not divide the two countries but unite them.

During his visit, Karakachanov visited Ilinden military base where he watched a demonstration of the actions by the Macedonian Special Operations Forces.