site.btaForeign Ministry: Bulgaria and North Macedonia Discuss Regional Connectivity

During the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Helsingborg, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova held talks with her North Macedonia counterpart Timco Mucunski, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

The talks focused on improving regional connectivity, with both ministers reaffirming the strategic importance of accelerating the construction of Corridor VIII for the prosperity, resilience and security of the region and Europe. In particular, they stressed the need for concrete steps towards the joint construction of the cross-border railway tunnel following the entry into force of the intergovernmental agreement signed on November 6, 2025.

Petrova reiterated Bulgaria's consistent position that the full implementation of commitments undertaken towards the EU within the framework of the July 2022 European consensus remains the only guarantee for the sustainable progress of North Macedonia on its path towards EU membership.

Petrova also said that ensuring the full protection of the rights of Macedonian Bulgarians would remain a priority issue for Bulgaria, the statement added.