site.btaPM Glavchev Holds Telephone Conversation with European Council President Costa

In a telephone conversation with European Council President Antonio Costa, caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev confirmed Bulgaria's position on the accession of the Republic of North Macedonia to the European Union. Glavchev and Costa spoke ahead of the regular European Council meeting on December 19, which will be the first one chaired by Costa.

"European results cannot be achieved with non-European behaviour", Glavchev stressed, adding that Bulgaria supports North Macedonia’s European integration provided that the agreements under the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation of 2017 are respected, as well as the implementation of key reforms related to human rights, the rule of law and good neighbourly relations.

Glavchev underscored that Bulgarians are completely unanimous on the issue and that no Bulgarian prime minister, whether caretaker or regular, would support a position other than the one officially adopted by the National Assembly. Bulgaria remains committed to the region’s European perspective, but the differences need to be overcome through constructive dialogue and mutual respect, he added.

Glavchev congratulated Costa on his inauguration as President of the European Council and wished him success while working for a strong and united European Union. For his part, Costa congratulated the Bulgarian prime minister on Bulgaria's full accession to Schengen. Glavchev thanked for the support of all member states and European institutions and confirmed that Bulgaria's accession to the euro area remains another important political priority for this country.