site.btaNorth Macedonia PM Says Bulgarian Election Focus on Skopje Shows Lack of Vision; Ridicules Idea of VMRO-DMPNE Expulsion from EPP

Hristijan Mickoski, Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Friday described as "a good April Fool's joke" Bulgarian MEP Andrey Kovatchev's intention to seek the expulsion of VMRO-DPMNE from the European People's Party (EPP).

Mickoski was referring to Kovatchev's statement made in an interview with the Bulgarian National Television. Kovatchev said the EPP had been informed about VMRO-DPMNE's conduct and he would ask for the party's expulsion from EPP.

Asked to comment on GERB leader Boyko Borissov's statement that Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski should resign for his remarks, Mickoski said that Nikoloski had already responded and added that North Macedonia should not fall into the trap of Bulgaria's election campaign and rhetoric.

"I deplore that due to a lack of serious vision, strategy and projects, Bulgaria wants (North) Macedonia and the Macedonian question to be the main topic. I wish them a successful campaign and hope that after the seventh attempt, they will finally elect a stable political government with which we, as Macedonians, can build good neighbourly and genuine relations. This is what is expected of good neighbours, and that is why the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation exists," Mickoski said. He was in Shtip attending the start of street repair works.

Questioned about the results of his visit to Brussels, Mickoski reiterated that he would not allow the bilateralization of North Macedonia's negotiation process with the EU.

"The French proposal is a proposal, not an agreement. The Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighbourliness (with Bulgaria) states that our eastern neighbour will support us in the EU integration process and will not block us. (...) This is what I said in Brussels," Mickoski said.