MEP Ivaylo Valchev explained on BNT what our country is about to hear when the time comes for the report on the progress of the Republic of North Macedonia on the path to European integration.
"I have great hopes that the latest changes, which imply the exclusion of the issue of the "Macedonian language" and "Macedonian identity" from the report, will be voted on by a majority. Our struggle to prove that these formulations have no place in a report that simply has to state the current political and social situation in a country. We expressed them in so many ways in so many places, we worked so hard that in the end, as you can see, we forced the three major political groups in this assembly to make changes at the last minute. Something that does not happen often and does not happen with every report", commented Ivaylo Valchev.
Ivaylo Valchev clarified whether the formulation on the Macedonian identity and language remained.
"The amendments in these places, which we assume will be voted on by a majority in the hall, imply precisely the deletion of any mention of language and identity at all.
One amendment has been submitted, whichever one is included will be such a clarifying one. This amendment says that the parliament is aware that in the Balkans this can almost be interpreted in many ways, but that they do not tolerate issues related to language and identity being used for political purposes.
But this is also just one amendment, whether it passes or not, it is still the same. Just in case, however, I, as a representative of the European Conservatives and Reformists, have submitted for consideration in the hall our amendments, which suggest placing the word "modern" before any mention of the Macedonian language or identity," the MEP said.
The MEP also commented on the topic of Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone.
"Brussels sees more what the official part of our country shows. You can see what is written in the report and the government's readiness to go in this direction. Of course, people's concerns and fears are also heard and seen. The authorities will have to act in such a way that with all their severity and with all the measures they have in their arsenal, they will make sure that people are calm. For everyone who understands at least a little about finance and business, it is clear that this will only bring benefits to our country. These benefits will be felt by business and everyone who works, literally in the first weeks of entering the eurozone. The most important thing is that Bulgaria will begin to have the right to vote on the things that happen in the eurozone. Because until now we have been just a bystander who complies," said Valchev.