The New York Times reported that people from Balkan countries awaited new labour opportunities within EU member countries.

Macedonians still faces problems as their country had not started membership negotiations yet. Bulgarians would be able to travel freely with the expected EU membership of their country on January 1 2007.

Bulgaria is willing to grant Bulgarian citizenship to Macedonians who prove Bulgarian descend. New York Times reported than in the majority Bulgarians do not recognise the existence of a separate Macedonian culture or language.

Nearly 300 000 representatives of Bulgarian communities in Moldova and Ukraine were also eligible for Bulgarian citizenship.

EU already asked Bulgaria to make citizenship rules stricter. Vice President Angel Marin said that regulations for obtaining Bulgarian citizenship would change once the country joined the EU.

Macedonians said they doubt the success of the programme. Bulgaria could use the number of Macedonians applying for citizenship to undermine Macedonia’s sovereignty, representatives of several parties said according to New York Times.