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In recent days, opposition-backed protesters have gathered in Skopje and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev. PHOTO: FACEBOOK / ANTONIO MILOSHOSKI
The EC doubts that negotiations will start this year
Denmark and the Netherlands are the two countries that have joined the Bulgarian veto on North Macedonia, a diplomatic source told 24 Chassa. Earlier, Macedonian VMRO-DPMNE MP Antonio Milososki wrote on Facebook that “Bulgaria does not appear to be alone, but has quiet diplomatic support from at least two other EU member states to block Macedonia’s accession talks.”
Milosoki added that several EU members, such as France, Greece, Italy and the Netherlands, oppose the adoption of conclusions or a negotiating framework only for Albania.
The “24 Chasa” source confirmed that, in fact, although there are no issues as controversial as with North Macedonia, There is strong disapproval in the Albanian negotiating framework.
At the ambassador-level meeting in Brussels, Bulgaria blocked not only the negotiating framework, but also the conclusions on North Macedonia, after which the German presidency interrupted the discussion because there was no consensus.
The issue of enlargement will be raised again at a meeting of EU ambassadors on 7 December. The next day is scheduled General Affairs Council, which will again discuss the North Macedonia negotiation process.
The Macedonian deputy clarified that some countries of the union expressed sympathy for the efforts of North Macedonia and announced the start of negotiations, without including the bilateral issues as decisive.
The German position is that Bulgaria and North Macedonia should understand each other on the issue of language and name, but Sofia strongly insists that all other contentious issues should be included in the “Other” chapter, so the German presidency did not agree. agreement.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Warhey has called on North Macedonia to make more efforts to find a mutually acceptable solution. Warhey acknowledged that he was not optimistic that the negotiating framework for North Macedonia and Albania would be adopted and that the two countries would start EU membership talks this year. According to him, the chances of finding a solution are small. An analysis by Politico published on Thursday said that many diplomats blamed Varhei for being too lenient with Sofia in blocking.
“I am sure that we will find a solution to the disputes with Bulgaria, but not in 7 days, it may take longer,” said the newly elected Special Representative of North Macedonia for Bulgaria, Vladimir Buckovski. The former Macedonian prime minister believes Skopje has a serious case to present to Bulgaria, but declined to say what action will be taken in the coming days. “Due to my experience, I will not accept with our Bulgarian friends to send messages through the media. It is better to remain silent to reach the desired solution. Our commission works hard, we have the tools offered by the Treaty of Friendship,” he said. Buckovski added that as a special representative of the country, he hopes with his experience and the confidence he enjoys in Bulgaria to demonstrate the government’s willingness to fulfill the obligations of the agreement. Buckovski expressed his confidence that a solution could be found to unblock the process integration of the EU.
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