site.btaNorth Macedonia President in New York: Treaty with Bulgaria Has No Provisions about Constitutional Changes

The Macedonian accession to the European Union has been obstructed for 20 years for subjective nationalistic reasons, North Macedonia's President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova said in New York on Thursday in her speech during the General Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Siljanovska argued that the constitution, as lex superior and a social contract between citizens in the sense of Rousseau’s words, is the innermost matter of any state. The Constitution of North Macedonia provides for four initiators of amendments: the president, the government, at least 30 members of parliament, and 150,000 citizens, she said. According to her, it is clear that an authorized initiator of amendments "cannot be our neighbour" (Bulgaria), or the EU. Making the start of EU accession negotiations conditional on new constitutional amendments reopens questions of history, culture, and language – questions that the Macedonians were assured had been settled by the Prespa Agreement with Greece, the President said. She agreed that, as Skopje is constantly reminded, agreements must be respected, but noted that the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation with Bulgaria contains no provisions concerning constitutional amendments.

Siljanovska noted that according to its founding documents, the EU defines itself as a "unity in diversity" and is committed to respecting "cultural and linguistic diversity", "national and cultural identity", "dignity and integrity". How, then, is it possible to require North Macedonia to discuss and negotiate with a neighbour (Bulgaria) over Macedonian history, culture and language? - Siljanovska said in her speech, as distributed by her office.

The President of North Macedonia further said that the country does not seek conflict with its neighbours and wishes to integrate into the EU – but without additional or special conditions, and with national dignity preserved.

According to her, a new geopolitical era is emerging in the world, but instead of a unified international order, it seems parallel systems are appearing, each with its own rules, values and interests, often opposing one another.

She also expressed deep concern over recent violations of the airspace of Poland, Romania and Estonia, and reaffirmed her conviction that lasting peace in the Middle East must be achieved solely through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with international law.