site.btaNorth Macedonia PM Expects Talks with Bulgaria to Gain Momentum in 2026

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expects increased momentum in talks with Bulgaria in 2026, Skopje media reported on Friday. Speaking to journalists, Mickoski said that "he had discussed the issue with the prime minister of one of the leading EU Member States," and expects "more serious action from other centres of power, as well as readiness from Sofia," TV 24 reported.

Mickoski is seeking guarantees that the constitutional amendments will be the last such demand on his country’s path toward EU membership. He reported that he spoke with European Council President Antonio Costa after Costa's visit to Sofia and expects support for advancing the process, 360stepeni.mk reported.

The Republic of North Macedonia is required to implement constitutional amendments recognizing Bulgarians as a state-forming people in the country. This is part of the conditions set under the EU negotiation framework to advance accession talks. The amendments are intended to ensure minority rights and address historical and bilateral disputes with Bulgaria.

Mickoski, quoted by TV 24, said: "To resolve the dispute with Bulgaria, stronger action from other centres of power is needed, as was the case with Railway Corridor VIII. To achieve this, however, pressure from a stronger state is necessary. We are ready to sit and talk, if there is such readiness from the other side."

Regarding the Minority Action Plan, which the country is required to draft under the negotiation framework, Mickoski said that the government’s proposal had been returned with comments by the Council of Europe. The plan will now be considered by the government before being sent to Brussels, but Bulgaria's position also remains to be seen.

The Prime Minister said that he expects North Macedonia to be recognized as a regional leader in the next European Commission report. Asked how reforms will be achieved given that by December 2024 the country had met only three of the required five steps, and by June 2025 only nine of the 16 additional steps, he said that “intensive work is underway”.