It is very important for us to start a pragmatic cooperation between the two ministries that will help us in the implementation of policies, especially those that are of key importance in the process of integration into the European Union and NATO, said Minister Fazliu.

Minister of Local Self-Government Suhail Fazliu, at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Nikolai Nankov, discussed the cooperation between the two ministries and the possibilities for its expansion at a meeting in Sofia.

At the working meeting, the two ministers noted that the two ministries already cooperate within the implementation of the IPA Cross-border Program between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Bulgaria.

Minister Fazliu stressed that the cross-border cooperation program with Bulgaria is the most successful since it has fully realized the approved funds from the European Union in the first phase, and also expects the same within the announced public call for projects, opened until May 11th.

The Republic of Macedonia deeply appreciates the support of the Republic of Bulgaria in the efforts of the country for membership in the European Union and NATO, especially now that Bulgaria has the position of chair of the Council of the European Union, said Minister Fazliu.

The two ministers discussed extending cooperation through the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation in the areas of local self-government, regional development and cross-border cooperation.

-The signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Neighborhood, between the governments of the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Bulgaria, only institutionalized the already open roads between the institutions and the citizens of both countries. This is an additional incentive, because it provides the basis for the establishment of a comprehensive cooperation on the road to membership of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Union and NATO. It is very important for us to start a pragmatic cooperation between the two ministries, which will help us in the implementation of policies, especially those that are of crucial importance in the process of integration into the European Union and NATO, said Minister Fazliu.

The Minister of Regional Development and Public Works of Bulgaria, Nikolay Nankow, stressed that the Memorandum of Cooperation between the two ministries is a good opportunity for deepening the cooperation and support in the process of integration of the country into the European Union and NATO.

-Our position is the fastest membership of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Union. You have rapid progress in implementing the reforms. We are at your disposal, by signing a Memorandum to deepen cooperation between ministries, said Minister Nikolay Nankow. Our institutional model for implementing the policies in the areas of local self-government, regional development and cross-border cooperation is good and we are at your disposal to convey our good practices, said Minister Nankov, stressing that the implementation of the cross-border cooperation program provides excellent results, and the priority is the infrastructure connection between the two countries, through improvement of the road network.

The two ministers expressed readiness to sign the Memorandum of Cooperation between the two ministries by the end of June in Skopje.