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Intellectuals: the conflict between Bulgaria and North Macedonia is fueled by Russia

Bulgarian raki.
Photo: Ani Petrova

Forty-two intellectuals and public figures from Bulgaria and North Macedonia spoke in favor of lifting the veto that Sofia has imposed on Skopje's opening negotiations for EU accession. They announced that they were setting up a network of friendship clubs aimed at "creating an active civic community to work for the bringing together of the two countries on the basis of European values".

According to Bulgarian participants in the initiative, the conflict between the two countries is being fuelled by Russia and the aim is to destabilise the Balkans.
Prof. Alexander Kyosev blamed the politicians for the deteriorated political dialogue and suggested that the discussions should be held at everyday life level - a good example would be a competition between Bulgarian and North Macedonian alcoholic beverage raki.



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