# Joint Declaration of 22 February 1999

Text from the book Bulgarian Policies on the Republic of Macedonia published in Wikisource under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
JOINT DECLARATION $^ж$
of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria
                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.
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