site.btaCC Co-chair Assen Vassilev: Bulgaria, Europe Should React to North Macedonia Deputy PM's Claims

Continue the Change (CC) Co-chair Assen Vassilev Wednesday told journalists that Bulgaria and Europe should react to the claims of North Macedonia Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski, who earlier in the day said that the topic of North Macedonia always comes up during elections in Bulgaria. Nikolski commented in an interview with TV Alfa on the absence of the national flag of North Macedonia in a photo of Presidents Rumen Radev and Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova during her visit to Sofia on September 13. 

"I think the words are offensive and excessive, and the politicians of North Macedonia should understand that if they want to be members of the European Union, they should respect the written agreements", Vassilev stressed.

The CC Co-chair pointed out that there is a written agreement between the European Union (EU), Bulgaria and North Macedonia which protects Bulgarian interests. In his words, North Macedonia has to implement this agreement if they want to join the EU. “Any other emotional outbursts will not help in any form”, Vassilev added.

He stressed that Bulgaria should remind North Macedonia about the written agreement, which should be implemented. 

“Europe should come up with a reaction and our Foreign Ministry should cooperate with Europe. You know how much we were spat for this agreement, but, in fact, this is no longer a problem between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, but between North Macedonia and Europe. Bulgarian interests are also protected by Europe, and this is what the Macedonian people need to understand," the CC Co-chair said.