Brussels – June 27, 2024 – Bulgaria is set to assert its position firmly regarding North Macedonia’s EU integration process at the upcoming European Council meeting.
The Bulgarian Council of Ministers communicated this intention through a press release, indicating a strong push for the reaffirmation of previous EU conclusions concerning its neighbor.
Caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev will represent Bulgaria in Brussels today and tomorrow, advocating for specific references to North Macedonia in the European Council’s conclusions.
Prime Minister Glavchev’s mission underscores the importance of North Macedonia fulfilling its obligations and making progress on EU-related reforms.
This push comes in response to recent statements from North Macedonia’s new Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, who expressed a firm stance against including Bulgarians in the country’s constitution.
Mickoski’s remarks have heightened diplomatic tensions, with Bulgarian officials emphasizing the necessity of honoring international agreements.
Bulgaria aims to highlight the deadlock faced by North Macedonia in its EU accession process due to unresolved issues outlined in previous EU Council conclusions.
Specifically, Bulgaria insists on the completion of constitutional changes that include provisions for Bulgarians, a requirement stipulated in EU assessments dating back to 2022 and reaffirmed in late 2023.
Glavchev will advocate for a clear message from the European Council, reaffirming its December 2023 and July 2022 conclusions on North Macedonia.
These conclusions outline the necessary steps for Skopje to progress in its European integration journey. Bulgaria is emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of these prerequisites for further advancement.
“The fulfillment of all obligations and progress on EU-related reforms remain pivotal,” said Glavchev in a statement.
“Bulgaria is committed to supporting North Macedonia’s European integration, but this support is contingent on the completion of constitutional changes that recognize the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia.”
The European Council meeting is expected to address various issues related to the EU enlargement process, with North Macedonia’s stalled accession being a significant point of discussion.
Bulgaria’s insistence on adherence to previous conclusions highlights the ongoing challenges in the EU’s enlargement policy and the complexities of regional diplomacy in the Balkans.
North Macedonia’s EU integration has been a contentious issue, with Bulgaria blocking its progress over historical and cultural disputes.
The inclusion of Bulgarians in North Macedonia’s constitution is seen by Sofia as a crucial step towards ensuring the rights of its minority and fostering good neighborly relations.
Prime Minister Mickoski’s recent statements have added to the diplomatic strain, with his refusal to include Bulgarians in the constitution contradicting commitments made by previous Macedonian administrations.
Bulgaria’s stance is that without these constitutional changes, North Macedonia cannot move forward in the EU accession process.
As Glavchev participates in the European Council meeting, his objective is to ensure that the conclusions adopted reflect Bulgaria’s concerns and reinforce the conditions set forth in previous EU assessments.
The outcome of this meeting could significantly impact the future of North Macedonia’s EU aspirations and the broader dynamics of EU enlargement in the Western Balkans.
The European Council’s response to Bulgaria’s advocacy will be closely watched, as it will signal the EU’s stance on member state disputes and its commitment to upholding the conditions for enlargement.
Bulgaria’s firm stance underscores the importance of fulfilling international agreements and respecting minority rights as essential components of the European integration process.
The European Council meeting concludes tomorrow, and the final adoption of conclusions will reveal the extent to which Bulgaria’s position has been incorporated and the implications for North Macedonia’s EU journey.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members