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.

Съвместна декларация от 22 февруари 1999 Заедничка декларациjа од 22 февруари 1999