site.btaNorth Macedonia's Road to Brussels Passes Through Sofia, President Radev Says

Speaking to reporters in Burgas, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said that the Republic of North Macedonia should not forget that it is an EU candidate country and cannot put conditions on EU member states. Nor can it revise international treaties, because would label this country as a state that does not respect international law, he added when asked to comment on Skopje's anti-Bulgarian rhetoric. The President was quoted by his press office on Friday.

Radev said he expects the politicians in the Republic of North Macedonia to understand that Bulgaria and Greece, as well as the European Union, insist on respecting international treaties. "The negotiating framework must be followed, which also means to implement the bilateral protocols regulating renunciation of hate speech, changes of [content in] textbooks, rehabilitation of victims, respect for Bulgaria's cultural and historical heritage in this country," he explained.

"I hope that the politicians in North Macedonia have understood that the election campaign is over and if their destructive talk and behaviour turn into real actions, this means pushing their country towards isolation and away from the EU, which is to the detriment of the citizens of the country and the state," Radev stressed. He also pointed out that he has always extended invitations to counterparts in North Macedonia to visit Sofia because "North Macedonia's road to Brussels passes through Sofia", he underscored.

Radev also expressed his expectation that every Bulgarian politician who represents Bulgaria at European summits will continue to defend Bulgaria’s national interest and the rights of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia.