National Assembly Chair Glavchev, Energy Minister Petkova, Socialist Leader Ninova Confer with Visiting Macedonian PM Zaev

Sofia, June 21 (BTA) - Bulgarian National Assembly Chairman Dimiter Glavchev conferred with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, the Parliamentary Press Centre said on Wednesday.

"Bulgaria has given us a sign of sincere friendship," Zaev said, quoted in the press release.

He expressed the hope that the relations between the two countries will develop further in the future.

Glavchev stressed that Bulgaria consistently supports Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic and European perspective. "We will be working for building good-neighborly relations in the Balkans," he added. A case in point are the preparations for the conclusion of a Treaty of Good-neighbourliness with Macedonia, which will clearly outline bilateral relations.

The sides agreed that the signing of the treaty will put partnership on a new basis and will open the way for vigorous cooperation in all spheres. Glavchev expressed satisfaction that the political situation in Macedonia is now calmer and stable.

Good contacts between the two countries' parliaments can also contribute significantly to expanding bilateral cooperation, it was noted at the meeting.

Later in the day, Energy Minister Temenouzhka Petkova also conferred with Zaev, her Ministry said. Petkova suggested that a joint working group should be formed to develop a natural gas interconnector between Bulgaria and Macedonia.

"Back in 2012, the gas operators in the two countries discussed the idea and Bulgartransgaz supported the project," Petkova recalled.

The Energy Minister briefed Zaev on the progress in the development of interconnectors with Serbia, Turkey and Greece.

The guest confirmed that the energy sector is one his Government's main priorities. He told Petkova that 2,000 million euro has been ensured in funding for his country's gas supply. To date only Strumica Municipality has gas supply, but Macedonia wants at least 63 per cent of kindergartens and municipal buildings to switch to gas, he added.

The 400 kV Chervena Mogila-Stip overhead transmission line is the first direct connection between the power grids of Bulgaria and Macedonia, and is part of the European Corridor VIII infrastructure. It is a stage in the implementation of the Balkan energy company strategy to ease the functioning of the regional energy market.

Macedonia is familiar with Bulgaria's gas hub concept and the opportunities it will provide for access to natural gas from various sources. Zaev confirmed his country's interest in receiving gas from Bulgaria.

Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Kornelia Ninova congratulated Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev on his election and expressed her conviction that he and his team will cope successfully with the challenges confronting them.

"We support their efforts to achieve EU and NATO membership for the Republic of Macedonia, and we welcome what they are doing for deepening bilateral relations with neighbouring countries," Ninova said after her meeting with Zaev, quoted in a BSP press release.

"We made two to-the-point proposals for the deepening and promotion of our relations," Ninova said. The first proposal is for annual meetings between the BSP and Zaev's SDSM party in an extended format, involving members of parliament and mayors. The second proposal is that the BSP host a Balkan conference in September, to which the parties of their political family would be invited.