Zaharieva: We have not vetoed North Macedonia for the EU (Video / Updated)

We have not vetoed North Macedonia for membership in the European Union. This is a disapproval of the bargaining framework. This was stressed to journalists by our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ekaterina Zaharieva, after a meeting with the Special Representative of the Government of Macedonia for Bulgaria, Vladimir Buckovski.

We regard the decision of Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev to appoint Vladimir Buckovski as a special representative of the Bulgarian government as a positive step. Last week, at our invitation, he agreed to come to Sofia and the fact that he will meet with me, the Prime Minister, the President, with Deputy Prime Minister Karakachanov, also in my opinion show that Bulgaria perceives this appointment as a step in the direction correct, “she commented. According to her, the dialogue resumed with Foreign Minister Buyar Osmani’s visit to Bulgaria on 9 October.

“I reaffirm the willingness of the Bulgarian side to continue the talks to find a sustainable and lasting solution to the remaining problems in bilateral relations, as well as to find a way out that opens the way for the PCM to approve the negotiation framework and start talks. real about membership. “Zaharieva said. He recalled that we have been warning for a year and a half that it is possible that we will not approve the negotiation framework for the accession of the PCM to the European Union, because they do not respect the neighborhood agreement, they unilaterally block and politicize the work of the Committee on Educational and Historical Affairs. business in Macedonia, claims by the Macedonian minority in Bulgaria, etc.

However, we have shown that we can have coordination. This was during the Berlin Process. Our teams have shown that they can work together. I really want to use this example and start step by step to restore the lost trust, said the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister.

Like two months ago, today we are really shaking his hand, said Zaharieva. He expressed hope that the things they talked about with Buckovski will be appreciated and a way will be found to make things that stay together.

Being a member of the EU means that you have to abide by your unilateral or multilateral treaties, respect the members of that family. The goal of enlargement is to strengthen the union, not weaken it. We are ready to work, so that the entire government finds a solution to overcome the accumulated mistrust and to be members of this family together, it was categorical.

I am satisfied with the constructive conversation. I am convinced that we also assure Minister Zaharieva that we are categorical in our intention to implement the friendship agreement, Buchkovski said.

We acknowledge that trust has been breached and I personally express my satisfaction that Bulgaria regards my appointment as a further attempt on our part to restore this lost trust, he continued. He stressed that his task will be to be a person who coordinates the implementation of the neighborhood agreement.

Neither I nor Mrs. Zaharieva can change history, but we can change the infrastructure, work more for education, for the rapprochement between the two countries, it was categorical.