Speaking to reporters in Rome, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said the Republic of North Macedonia should show its “willingness to be part of a united Europe by meeting all the requirements set by the European Union, as all member states have done “.

The president was making the traditional annual visit to the Vatican and Italy in view of the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture and Slavic literature on May 24.

Radev said Bulgaria expects North Macedonia to change its rhetoric as soon as possible, calling on it to stop its hate speech.

The head of state emphasized that the Bulgarian delegation could not meet with the North Macedonian delegation headed by President Gordana Silianovska-Davkova, which is visiting Italy and the Vatican on the occasion of May 24. Silianovska’s office said the president was to be received Thursday in an audience with the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, and hold talks with Vatican Foreign Minister Pietro Parolin.

Radev said his schedule was full, adding that he expected a meeting between him and Silianovska soon.

He noted that he had an “in-depth and friendly conversation with the presidents of Italy, Portugal and Greece” on Wednesday.

Radev stated that “the president of North Macedonia has been invited to Bulgaria all these years”. Responding to a journalist’s question whether he would invite Silianovska to visit the country, Radev emphasized: “Of course I invite her.”

“I consider the desire of the Republic of North Macedonia for dialogue to be a positive sign. Only through dialogue will we strengthen our trust in each other, resolve all contentious issues and open the door to the EU for the Republic of North Macedonia . I hope and request that this meeting takes place as soon as possible,” said Radev.

“It’s the turn of the president of the Republic of North Macedonia to come to Bulgaria, if I’m not mistaken,” he noted