Joint Declaration of 22 February 1999

JOINT DECLARATION ^ж
of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria

and of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Prime Minister of

the Republic of Macedonia,

Proceeding from a common aspiration to promote the goodneighbourly

relations between the two countries,

Profoundly convinced of the need of promotion of cooperation

on the basis of mutual respect, confidence, understanding,

good-neighbourliness and mutual respect for the interests of their

countries and peoples,

Convinced of the need to enhance security and peace, cooperation

and confidence in Southeastern Europe,

Proceeding from the aspirations of the two countries to

integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures,

Believing that constructive dialogue on all aspects of bilateral

relations, as well as on regional and international problems, will

contribute to a further development of contacts between the two

countries on a basis of equality,

Respecting the principles of the UN Charter and the OSCE

documents, as well as the democratic principles enshrined in the acts

of the Council of Europe,

1. Express their readiness and common desire for promotion

of relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of

Macedonia in all spheres. These relations shall develop in compliance

with the fundamental principles of international law.

2. The two countries shall co-operate within the framework of

the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in

Europe, the Council of Europe, NATO’s Partnership for Peace Initiative,

the Multinational Peace Force Southeastern Europe, and other

international organisations and forums.

3. The two countries shall contribute to the promotion

of co-operation among the states of Southeastern Europe, to the

enhancement of understanding, peace and stability in the region and

to the implementation of regional projects as part of the process of

establishing a united Europe.

4. The two countries shall maintain contacts and hold

meetings between representatives of the government authorities at

different levels for the promotion of friendly relations and co-operation.

5. Considering their geographic proximity, the two countries

shall seek to establish the appropriate legal, economic, financial and

trade conditions for an unimpeded movement of goods, services and

capital. They shall promote reciprocal investments and ensure their

protection.

6. The two countries shall support the broadening of tourist

exchange, as well as the pursuit of suitable forms of co-operation in the

field of tourism.

7. The two countries shall extend and upgrade transport

links and communications between each other, inter alia within the

framework of regional infrastructure projects.

They shall seek to ease customs and border formalities for

passengers and goods moving between the two countries.

8. The two countries shall encourage active and unimpeded

co-operation in the field of culture, education, healthcare, social welfare

and sports.

9. The two countries shall make efforts for free dissemination

of information by encouraging and promoting co-operation in the field

of the press, radio and television broadcasts, using the capabilities of

modern communication media.

The two countries commit themselves to protect the

copyrights and intellectual rights of creative artists in the two countries.

10. The two countries shall expand their co-operation in

the legal and consular sphere and, in particular, on civil, criminal and

administrative issues, with a view to facilitating travel and visits of their

citizens as well as addressing their humanitarian and social problems.

11. Neither of the two countries shall undertake, instigate

or support any actions of a hostile nature directed against the other

country.

Neither of the two countries shall allow its territory to be used

against the other by any organisations or groups which make it their

object to carry out subversive, separatist or other actions threatening

the peace and security of the other country.

The two countries do not have, and will not lay, any territorial

claims to each other.

The Republic of Macedonia hereby declares that nothing in

its Constitution can or should be interpreted as constituting, now or

whenever in the future, a basis for interference in the internal affairs

of the Republic of Bulgaria for the purpose of defending the status

and the rights of persons who are not citizens of the Republic of

Macedonia.

The two countries shall undertake effective measures for

preventing ill-intentioned propaganda by institutions and agencies

and shall not allow activities by private individuals aimed at instigating

violence, hatred or other such actions which might harm relations

between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia.

Signed on 22 February 1999 in Sofia, in two originals, each

in the official languages of the two countries - in Bulgarian language,

according to the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, and in

Macedonian language, according to the Constitution of the Republic of

Macedonia, both texts being equally authentic.

FOR THE REPUBLIC                          FOR THE REPUBLIC

OF BULGARIA:                                  OF MACEDONIA:

IVAN KOSTOV                                   LJUBČO GEORGIEVSKI

Prime Minister                                    Prime Minister

__________________

^ж   The 1999 Joint Declaration was reaffirmed by a joint memorandum signed

     by Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia on January 22, 2008 in Sofia.