Dimche Yamandiyev to FACTI: It is shameful to be a Bulgarian diplomat today, but it is even more shameful to remain sile

The progress report on the Republic of North Macedonia, prepared by rapporteur Thomas Weitz, was voted on by the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET). The report was approved by the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs with 40 votes "for". 19 were "against", and 10 abstained. On May 27, the BGNES agency was the first to report that the European Parliament was about to adopt a report on the progress of North Macedonia towards the EU, which in several places contains recognition of the "Macedonian identity and language". The work on the document was accompanied by well-founded suspicions of external interference – including influence of the authorities in Skopje on the content of the report, as well as on the positions and the actions of the Austrian MEP Thomas Weitz. According to diplomatic and parliamentary sources, Weitz has held dozens of meetings with representatives of Skopje, including deputies and ministers. What's next... Dimche Yamandiev, chairman of the "Ilinden" association, spoke to FACTI.

- Mr. Yamandiev, the progress report on the Republic of North Macedonia, prepared by rapporteur Thomas Weitz, was voted on by the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET). How do you view this?
- How should I look at it? The European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) adopted an anti-Bulgarian report, which was prepared by Thomas Weitz. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev must resign immediately! Simply put, June 24 will go down in history as one of the most shameful diplomatic defeats for Bulgaria since 1989. The European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted a report that is anti-Bulgarian. Nothing in it defends Bulgaria's interests. The report does not insist on protecting the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia, no reforms are required from Skopje. And at the same time, there is a reproach to Bulgaria for its refusal to recognize the “Macedonian minority“. What is this? This has nothing to do with the so-called “French proposal“.

- The report was prepared by the Austrian MEP Thomas Weitz (“The Greens“), who says he is a friend of Bulgaria?
- He can say whatever he wants, but he is a well-known lobbyist for Macedonianism and a supporter of the theses coming directly from Belgrade and Skopje. This should be known. It is not surprising that it is Austria - the country that blocked Bulgaria from Schengen for years - that is once again acting against our country.

- From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came out with a declaration saying that nothing fundamental has changed… What worries you?
- I am worried about Bulgarian diplomacy, which is silent, which is inactive. Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev, who was appointed to the post without experience because he is “our boy“, failed miserably. He did not present any strong arguments, did not express an active position, did not defend the national interest of Bulgaria. He did nothing. Therefore, the only moral and political way out for him is immediate resignation.

- The report will be put to a vote in the plenary hall of the EP in July…
- Yes, there is still little time. And during this time, the Bulgarian MEPs, the Bulgarian government must clearly state that the Bulgarian interest will not be betrayed in the name of a false European “consensus“. We are also expecting a response from the Bulgarian Prime Minister. Will Rosen Zhelyazkov take responsibility for the failure of his government, or will he hide behind empty phrases about “European values“, while Skopje continues to slander and erase the Bulgarian presence in the Republic of North Macedonia? It is shameful to be a Bulgarian diplomat today, but it is even more shameful to remain silent. There is no turning back. The Bulgarian state may have fallen asleep, but the Bulgarian spirit, honor, dignity, has always been alive. And today, this is precisely what is being attacked. The adopted report is a national humiliation. It is logical and moral for the Foreign Minister to take responsibility. But this is not enough. Now the entire people are waiting to see the actions of the government and the National Assembly. Because it is no longer about policies, but about honor. And while we are still discussing “North Macedonia“ and its “century-old identity”, the fiction of a “Macedonian minority in Bulgaria“". Tell me - where else can we fall?

- And how do you view the international allies and especially the position of Hungary?
- I ask now - where are the brave generals who kissed Orban now? Where are all those who idolized him? It is precisely his group in the European Parliament that is blocking the Bulgarian amendments. This is not just betrayal, it is stabbing Bulgaria in the back, just when we are fighting for the rights of our compatriots in Macedonia. Orban is at the root of the anti-Bulgarian hysteria in Skopje. We - from “Ilinden“, say clearly - this is not the time for fear, nor for backroom deals. It is time for decisive action in defense of the Bulgarian heroes, their memory and the historical truth.