The stated intention of the Republic of North Macedonia not to adhere to its international commitments and signed agreements is unacceptable . This is stated in a position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), published on its website, in connection with the statements of the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia.
If there is desire and political will, the negotiation framework of the Republic of North Macedonia with the European Union (EU) can be changed, believes the newly elected Prime Minister of the country, Hristijan Mickoski.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria insistently recalls that the European consensus reached in the summer of 2022 between the 27 EU member states and North Macedonia itself clearly outlines the steps to achieve real progress in the process of European integration of the neighboring country. Also, the principle of unanimity in the EU enlargement process is established in the Treaty of the European Union and is embedded in the negotiation frameworks of all previous and current enlargements," the MFA states in its position, quoted by BTA.
It is unacceptable the stated intention of the new government of North Macedonia to reject the legitimate request of part of its own citizens to guarantee rights and freedoms on an equal basis with all other communities in North Macedonia, incl. through their inclusion in the neighboring country's constitution. Such an attitude is incompatible with progress along the European path. It leaves serious concerns that in its policy towards the Bulgarians and Bulgaria, the current government in Skopje risks being trapped by the dogmas of a bygone era, rejected by all democratic societies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs adds.
Raising ideas for renegotiation of already undertaken international commitments would only lead to further distancing from the start of EU membership negotiations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalls that as a result of unnecessary provocations and confrontation with neighboring countries, North Macedonia has already lost too much time in the process of opening accession negotiations.
The Bulgarian position is clearly spelled out in the Decision of the National Assembly of June 24, 2022, supported by all political forces. It is an expression of the will of the Bulgarian citizens to support North Macedonia in the process of fulfilling the criteria for EU membership, provided that the neighboring country adheres to the highest standards in the field of human rights and fulfills the international commitments undertaken in good faith. This nationwide position will not be changed, adds the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.