(ANSA) - SOFIA, 05 FEB - The Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighborhood signed in 2017 between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia is practically 'dead,' thus fulfilling Skopje's wishes, Bulgarian Defense Minister Krassimir Karakachanov said, the BTA news agency reported.

According to Karakachanov, this happened after the 'green light' given to North Macedonia's Nato membership, which took place officially in March last year. Karakachanov said Skopje continues to "play with the ball," waiting for Bulgaria's political situation to change after the upcoming elections.

According to the Bulgarian minister, Skopje would like to receive support again for its accession into the EU under the Slovenian presidency and, perhaps, seeks approval from the new US administration. "We want the negotiating framework to include Bulgarian requests, with a separate chapter on the implementation of agreements between the two countries," Karakachanov added. Political tensions between Sofia and Skopje culminated when Bulgaria, an EU member state, decided to veto the beginning of accession negotiations between North Macedonia and the EU at the European Council last December. (ANSA).