1999   JOINT DECLARATION

BULGARIA - MACEDONIA

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At the end of a long and painfully travelled road, this declaration is within the tradition of the struggle for freedom of thousands of patriots and revolutionaries throughout this century. This Declaration, signed today, February 22, 1999, is to be saluted as a truly historic achievement. For the first time in the history of the two countries, we have a bilateral agreement, reached by democratically elected governments which do not represent foreign agendas or interests.

The two Prime Ministers, in confirming today's Joint Declaration with their signatures, bring to a culmination the hard work of their respective governments in the spirit of the revolutionaries of the last century. As the Macedonian Minister of culture, Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, said in Sofia, Bulgarians and Macedonians should not divide their history, but share it. That spirit of shared history flows freely from the preamble of this Declaration, through the 11 points, to the concluding statement.

The Declaration alone cannot erase with one stroke of the pen all the obstacles, pitfalls, distortions and outright falsifications of history created in the course of this century, and particularly since the Second World War. This two-and-a-half page document, however, embodies the vision, joy and enthusiasm with which revolutionaries, such as the legendary Gotse Delchev, Dame Grouev, Todor Aleksandrov, Ivan Mihailov, and thousands of others, fought - many to the death - for the cause of freedom and the right to self-determination. That is what makes it so precious.

To Prime Minister Kostov and Prime Minister Georgievski, a salute with joy and gratitude for their historic accomplishment. May the generations to come live up to their vision and dedication to the people in Macedonia and Bulgaria.

Cornelia Slavoff - Radi Slavoff - Ilya Talev

JOINT DECLARATION: BULGARIA - MACEDONIA

1. Declare their readiness and common will to develop comprehensive relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia. These relations shall be developed in compliance with the basic principles of international law.
2. The two countries shall cooperate within the framework of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe, NATO Partnership for Peace Initiative, the Multinational Peace Forces South Eastern Europe and other international organizations and forums.
3. The two countries shall contribute to the development of cooperation between the States of South Eastern Europe, in strengthening mutual understanding, peace and stability in the region and in implementing regional projects aimed at the creation of united Europe.
4. The two countries shall maintain contacts and shall hold meetings between representatives of state institutions at different levels for development of friendly relations and cooperation. They shall promote contacts between non-governmental organizations and the citizens of the two countries.
5. Given their geographical proximity, the two countries shall aim at creating the necessary legal, economic, financial and trade conditions to ensure free movement of goods, services and capital. They shall encourage mutual investments and shall ensure their protection.
6. The two countries shall promote tourist exchange as well as the development of relevant forms of cooperation in the tourism sector.
7. The two countries shall expand and improve the transport links and communications between them, including those within the framework of regional infrastructure projects. They shall aim at simplifying customs and border formalities for the movement of passengers and goods between the two countries.
8. The two countries shall encourage active and unhindered cooperation in the spheres of culture, education, health, social care and sports.
9. The two countries shall promote free distribution of information by encouraging and developing cooperation with respect to press, radio and television programs through modern information technologies. They undertake to protect copyright and intellectual rights of authors from both countries.
10. The two countries shall expand their cooperation with respect to legal and consular affairs and especially on civil, penal and administrative issues, with the goal of simplifying the conditions for travels and visits by citizens of both countries, as well as of resolving their humanitarian and social problems.
11. The two countries shall not undertake, incite or support unfriendly activities against each other. Neither country shall allow its territory to be used against the other country by organizations and groups whose goal is to carry out subversive, separatist or other activities, which threaten peace and security of the other country.
    The two countries do not have territorial claims against each other and will not have such claims in the future.
    The Republic of Macedonia declares that nothing in its Constitution may or should be interpreted - now or ever - as a basis for interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria with the aim of protecting the status and the rights of persons who are not citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.
    The two countries shall undertake effective measures for prevention of hostile propaganda by institutions and agencies and shall not permit activities of private entities, which incite violence, hatred, or other similar activities, which could harm the relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia.