site.btaForeign Minister: No Sofia-Skopje Problem with 2022 Deal; Issue Is between Skopje and Brussels

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev said here Thursday that the European consensus reached on the conditions for the start of EU accession talks with the Republic of North Macedonia is not an issue between Sofia and Skopje but between Skopje and Brussels. 

The "European consensus" is a reference to an agreement brokered by France (which held the EU Council presidency at the time), in a bid to unlock North Macedonia’s EU integration while addressing Bulgaria’s concerns. A key aspect was recognition of Bulgarians in North Macedonia’s Constitution via constitutional amendments, which the current government in Skopje seeks to revisit, arguing that the deal was imposed under external pressure and is unfair to Macedonian identity.

This has led to renewed tensions with Bulgaria and concerns within the EU about North Macedonia's commitment to the accession process. The EU and Bulgaria are watching closely, as a failure to fulfill the conditions could stall or even derail North Macedonia's EU path once again.

Georgiev said, "Bulgaria remains most consistent in its policy on the Western Balkans and the integration of all countries in this region. There is a European consensus of 2022 - what is known in Bulgaria as the French proposal, and it is to be strictly followed."

The Minister said that as a reporter asked him if he agrees that the delayed EU integration of the Republic of North Macedonia risks to destabilize the region.

"Every country, on its road to accession, should meet certain criteria and be assessed on its merits. Bulgaria and this government are committed to this approach. Yes, security in the Western Balkans is very important for us and the EU integration of the Western Balkans is very important. Investment in this process is an investment in the security and stability of all Europe [...] but at the same time we understand and protect our national interests and the interests of the entire EU," he said.