site.btaForeign Minister Gabriel: Bulgaria Has No Bilateral Problem with Republic of North Macedonia

Answering a question about North Macedonia’s path towards the European Union, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel said that Bulgaria has no bilateral problem with the Republic of North Macedonia. "In the name of the common European interest, Bulgaria tells North Macedonia what it means to be a member of the European Union", she said, attending the Parliamentary committee on foreign policy on Friday.

Gabriel pointed out that the requirements North Macedonia must comply with include not only adoption of constitutional changes, but also compliance with the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation, and the two protocols, signed with Bulgaria.

In her words, it is important for Bulgaria to see North Macedonia's progress in other areas if it experiences difficulties the adoption of constitutional changes. Gabriel added that two technical meetings had been held in July in Sofia and in October in Skopje, from which it transpired that, regrettably, there was no progress. "Bulgaria is defending a very clear position in front of the entire European Union. We are a member state and as such, our demands to the Republic of North Macedonia say that when you want to be a member of the European Union you must fulfil the obligations that you have undertaken yourself", Gabriel stressed.

She also emphasized that Bulgaria's strategy in the last six months is to underline clearly and constructively its role as an EU member state. The plan for the protection of minorities is now a criterion if North Macedonia wants to become a candidate for EU membership, she noted, adding that Bulgaria is interested in supporting the European perspective of the Western Balkans and underlined that the issue is on the European agenda thanks to the Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU.  "We need to regain our position as a leader in the region and in order to be a leader, we need to clearly defend the common European interest," Gabriel added.