It is important for Bulgaria and North Macedonia to use a normal tone of voice and exchange views, because there has been tension in the relations between the two countries in the recent months, Dimitar Bechev, director of the European Policy Institute said in an interview for BNR on the occasion of today's international online discussion themed "Identity and Interpretations. What is achievable in the dialogue between Sofia and Skopje."

In Dimitar Bechev’s view, the main problem is that the historical and identity issues have been the focus of bilateral relations. "If we expect the Macedonians to say 'We are Bulgarians', it will not happen. There is greater scope for action if we aim at more dialogue, economic exchange and infrastructure connectivity", added Dimitar Bechev.