site.btaForeign Ministry: North Macedonia PM's Statement Brings into Question Country's European Perspective

The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wednesday released a position in response to a statement of the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, which, according to the Ministry, unfortunately once again openly brings into question his country's European perspective.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mickoski said that he hopes Bulgaria to form a regular government after the early parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 27,2024, so that the two sides can "come to the table" and find a joint solution to the decade-long blockade of North Macedonia's European integration.

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry’s position states that it should be clear to those in power in Skopje that attempts to launch ideas for renegotiation of already made international commitments can only lead to a further delay of the start of EU membership negotiations. This position will not change regardless of whether a caretaker or a regular government is in charge. The Ministry recalled 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 caretaker Government of Bulgaria is a legitimate government that has all the prerogatives to govern the country. It remains open to dialogue with North Macedonia, while stressing that, whether conducted by a caretaker or a regular government, the dialogue does not include renegotiation of commitments already made by Skopje, the position states.

The Ministry recalled 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 process of European integration.

Bulgaria's position is clearly laid out in a resolution of Bulgaria’s National Assembly of June 24, 2022, supported by all political parties. It is an expression of the will of the Bulgarian citizens to support North Macedonia in the process of fulfilling the EU membership criteria, provided that the neighbouring country adheres to the highest human rights standards and fulfils its international commitments in good faith. This nationwide position will not be changed, the Foreign Ministry's position added.