Bulgarian PM joins Macedonian commemoration

By Besar Ademi and Dzihat Aliju

SKOPJE, Macedonia

Bulgaria’s leader joined his Macedonian counterpart on Wednesday during the former Yugoslav republic’s commemoration of a 1903 uprising against Ottoman rule.

Boyko Borissov was in Skopje with recently-elected Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev as Macedonians remembered the Ilinden Uprising and a 1944 declaration of independence.

"Our generation has chosen a free future, and defended it," Zaev told a commemoration in Skopje’s Sveti Spas Church.

"This success does not belong to one person, we are all Macedonians, Albanians, Turks, Serbs, Ulahs, Bosnians and others,” he added.

He also said Macedonians were fighting for justice, freedom, life, but also acknowledged the country was passing through difficult times.

The commemoration follows a treaty signed on Tuesday between Macedonia and Bulgaria which “demonstrates the determination of both sides to overcome bilateral issues” according to the EU.

As an EU candidate country since 2005, Macedonia has faced obstacles from Bulgaria over historical, linguistic and religious issues.

Sofia still does not recognize the Macedonian language and until recently was opposed to Skopje's efforts to become a NATO member.

Speaking at another event, Macedonian President Gyorge Ivanov said the only force motivating the Balkan countries to voluntarily reform themselves is the EU.

However, he said Macedonia had been "deprived of prosperity for so many years since our independence," adding that it should become a member of the bloc.