Bulgaria supports Macedonia's NATO and EU membership and insists on a good neighbourly relations agreement with Macedonia, Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski stated on Sunday in Kyustendil, after a working meeting with his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski.

"I would like to stress that Bulgaria supports the Republic of Macedonia's NATO and EU membership, as well as that of all countries from the Western Balkans. We insist on a good neighbourly relations and cooperation agreement and we hope that work on it will continue at an accelerated pace. I told the Prime Minister (Gruevski) that, in order to smooth out the existing differences, it would be good to organize joint celebrations of various historical events which are interpreted differently in the two countries," Oresharski said.

Specific political and foreign-policy differences should not be an obstacle to the development of bilateral economic and trade relations, as well as better infrastructure links, which is important for the better connection between people living in the two countries, Oresharski said.

Gruevski considered the joint session as a significant contribution to mutual efforts for advancing the good-neighbourly relations between Macedonia and Bulgaria, which can lead to projects, ideas and solutions that will improve them in the future.

In addition to sharing opinions on boosting the political, economic ties between the two countries, which have been nourishing relations based on friendship and partnership, the talks also addressed possibilities for cooperation in regard to the EU integration process, Gruevski said.

"We are committed to cooperation in all spheres of mutual interest in order to create better conditions for the citizens of both countries," Gruevski said.

On the meeting's agenda was also the mutual interest in the coordinated work on large-scale projects related to the construction of Pan-European Transport Corridor 8, concerning the railway, energy and road infrastructure.

Gruevski expressed hope for Macedonia-Bulgaria high-level dialogue to become regular in favor of advancing the bilateral relations, strengthening the mutual trust, respect and building the common European, Euro-Atlantic future, which will bring benefit to citizens and the entire region.

Today's informal inter-government session is a preview of an official one, which should take place by the year-end.

Macedonia has already held joint government session with Serbia this June, initiating such meetings with Albanian and Kosovo authorities as well. These meetings are considered as additional impetus to advancing Macedonia's relations with the countries in the region.

A group of about 10 members of Bulgarian Krasimir Karakachanov's VMRO party was protesting in front of the Kyustendil municipal building, which hosted the session, displaying anti-Macedonian placards.