Message
25 June 2024 News
With regard to the statements made by the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria strongly recalls that the European Consensus reached in the summer of 2022 between the 27 EU Member States and North Macedonia itself clearly outlines the steps to achieve real progress in the European integration process of the neighbouring country. Likewise, the principle of unanimity in the EU enlargement process is enshrined in the Treaty on European Union and has underpinned the negotiating frameworks of all previous and current enlargements.
Raising the idea of renegotiating international commitments already made would only lead to a further delay in the start of EU membership negotiations. We recall that as a result of unnecessary provocations and confrontation with neighbouring countries, North Macedonia has already lost too much time in the process of opening accession negotiations.
The stated intention of the new government of North Macedonia to reject the legitimate demand of some of its own citizens for the guarantee of rights and freedoms on an equal footing with all other communities in North Macedonia, including through their inclusion in the constitution of the neighbouring country, is unacceptable.
Equally unacceptable is North Macedonia's stated intention not to abide by its international commitments and signed agreements.
Such an attitude is incompatible with progress on the European path. It leaves serious concerns that, in its policy towards the Bulgarians and Bulgaria, the current government in Skopje risks finding itself trapped in the dogmas of a bygone era rejected by all democratic societies.
The Bulgarian position is clearly spelled out in the National Assembly's decision of 24 June 2022, supported by all political forces. It is an expression of the will of the Bulgarian citizens to support North Macedonia in the process of meeting the EU membership criteria, provided that the neighbouring country subscribes to the highest human rights standards and fulfils its international commitments in good faith. This nationwide position will not be changed.