The new leadership of North Macedonia has also opened a front with Bulgaria, with Sofia accusing Skopje of violating the rights of the Bulgarian minority.

Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry strongly criticized North Macedonia’s new government on Wednesday, calling its intentions “unacceptable” for refusing to honor international commitments and agreements. The harsh announcement follows the statements of the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Christian Mickoski, indicating a desire to renegotiate the negotiating framework with Bulgaria, reports the country’s news agency.

In an official statement posted on its website, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned North Macedonia’s stance on ensuring rights and freedoms equally to all its citizens, among others through constitutional amendments concerning neighboring countries.

“Clear steps for North Macedonia”

The Bulgarian ministry highlighted “the European consensus reached in 2022 between EU member states and North Macedonia, which outlines clear steps to advance the country’s European integration process.”

Underlining the principle of unanimity in EU enlargement, as enshrined in the Treaty of the European Union and reflected in previous and ongoing enlargement negotiations, Bulgaria warns that reopening discussions on entrenched international commitments “could hinder progress towards accession negotiations in the EU”.

The Bulgarian government expressed concerns that the current policies of North Macedonia are in danger of turning back its relations with neighboring countries and they could delay its path towards EU integration. He emphasized that Sofia considers any deviation from international commitments and agreements as incompatible with progress on the European path. The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the firm position of Sofia, which is supported by all political forces, as stated in the decision of the National Assembly of the country of June 24, 2022.

“This decision reflects the support of the Bulgarian citizens for the ambitions of North Macedonia to join the EUE that depends on the observance of the highest standards of human rights and the faithful fulfillment of international obligations”. The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs declares that this national attitude will remain firm and unchanged despite the recent developments in Skopje.

The Bulgarian government’s response underscores its commitment to ensuring North Macedonia abides by agreed principles and obligations, warning that deviating from those commitments risks destabilizing relations and delaying the European integration process.

“We will not kneel”

The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, among others, stated that North Macedonia will not bow to political pressure nor will it endanger its sovereignty. “We will not kneel in front of Bulgaria,” said Mickoski. He criticized “earlier retreat practices in external demands and signing agreements which, in his opinion, “did not serve the interests of the Macedonian people”. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect and constructive dialogue to strengthen good neighborly relations.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev had earlier denounced the North Macedonian government, accusing it of unwillingness to recognize the existence of Bulgarian identity and language in the Republic of North Macedonia.