In 1999 Bulgaria and Macedonia took certain efforts to strengthen the bilateral cooperation. Since Bulgaria recognized Macedonian language and the two Prime ministers signed the Joint Declaration on cooperation, the relations between the two countries started developing.

Besides participation in “Partnership for peace” events and regional collective security and defense activities the Bulgarian and the Macedonian defense ministries developed contacts on bilateral level. Bulgaria’s decision to grant armaments and ammunition from its Army’s surplus to Macedonia was a significant step in this direction. Sofia delivered to its Western neighbor 94 T-55A main battle tanks and 108 M-30 howitzers with respective ammunition and equipment. Both sides also agreed on possible additional supplies of ammunition and spare parts and maintenance of exported armaments.

Further development of military partnership between two nations will allow easing the tensions in the whole region. Such cooperation will let Bulgaria play a leading and stabilizing role in the Balkans and gain necessary advantage for integration to NATO and the European Union. Taking into consideration the fact that this integration will take long time the military contacts between Bulgaria and Macedonia are supposed to continue developing in the future.