site.btaBulgarian MEPs Drive EU Call on Serbia, Kosovo to Protect Bulgarian Minorities

At its latest meeting on Wednesday, the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) adopted reports on Serbia and Kosovo, focusing on the current situation and paying particular attention to the rights of Bulgarian minorities, There Is Such a People (TISP)'s press service said here Wednesday.

In those reports, MEPs Andrey Kovachev (EPP/GERB) and Ivaylo Valchev (ECR/TISP) proposed amendments regarding Bulgarian communities.

At Kovachev and Valchev’s suggestion, the report on Kosovo mentions a petition signed by almost 500 individuals who identify as Bulgarian. This petition was submitted to the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo in January 2023. Since the petition is still pending review, the report suggests protecting the rights of Bulgarian communities through legislation and calls on Kosovo to incorporate all minorities into its constitution.

The report on Serbia stresses the importance of protecting the rights and cultural heritage of national minorities and fostering a supportive environment for education in minority languages. It notes concerns about violations of minority rights and urges the protection of the Bulgarian community.

Two amendments by Kovachev and Valchev were included, addressing efforts by Serbian authorities to undermine the historical identity of the Bulgarian community. These efforts include the creation of the so-called "Shopi nation," the events related to the "Surdulica massacre," and a search of the Cultural and Information Centre (CIC) in Bosilegrad. The amendments were approved by substantial majorities: the first received 43 votes in favour, 27 against, and three abstentions, while the second passed with 31 votes in favour, 28 against, and 14 abstentions. 

The reports on Serbia and Kosovo will be presented as draft resolutions during the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg from May 5 to 8, 2025.