site.btaNorth Macedonia's President Sees Signs of Unblocking of Country's EU Integration Process

The government of North Macedonia has not established contacts with the new Bulgarian Government, but Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expects Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski to meet with his Bulgarian counterpart in the corridors of the Munich Security Conference.

"At the moment, there is no confirmation of such an event, and if there is, the public will be informed in a timely manner," Mickoski responded to a journalist's question about whether he has already made contact with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.

Journalists’ questions about Skopje’s interactions with the Bulgarian cabinet have arisen from statements made by Hristijan Mickoski and other ministers from North Macedonian, who were anticipating the formation of a regular government in Bulgaria to enable discussions aimed at "unblocking" the country's EU integration process.

The government of North Macedonia rejects the requirement for Bulgarians to be included in the constitution in order for the second intergovernmental conference to take place. Instead, Skopje has suggested that constitutional changes be approved with "delayed effect," to be enacted once the country finishes the negotiations.

However, North Macedonia's President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova stated that she sees the "unblocking of the EU integration process."

 "The process does not depend solely on us, because we have shown unprecedented and unheard-of cooperation when it comes to our EU integration. I think we need to talk, to negotiate. According to my information, there has been a step forward. I also met with the President of Bulgaria (during the commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp) in Auschwitz. There is a friendly dialogue and understanding between us, and I expect the possible solutions to be discussed in direct meetings," North Macedonia's head of State said. 

"We signed an agreement on a common foreign policy and security policy. In the end, although we are not an EU member, we have a fully coordinated common foreign and security policy, and I think that time is needed, but most importantly – good will is needed, as well as a demonstration of good neighborliness. And by good neighborliness, I cannot recognize mechanisms like vetoes and similar threats," added Siljanovska.