[ad_1]
© Nadezhda Chipeva, Capital
Bulgaria will block North Macedonia’s first intergovernmental conference with the European Union if no agreement is reached on controversial historical issues in the commission, whose work has been halted.
This was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Krassimir Karakachanov. In a telephone conversation with Macedonia TV24, of which the media released only a short passage, he explained that 3 years after the signing of the Neighborhood Agreement, Skopje has avoided resolving the dispute over Gotse Delchev, and for 10 months has avoided meetings of the commission. late last year, while the EU was expected to defend it.
According to Karakachanov, almost half a year after the EU countries approved the start of negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, no one can influence Bulgaria to change this decision, as only she makes commitments.
The minister commented on the issue after yesterday’s technical meeting in Brussels on the negotiating framework, which will be used for dialogue with North Macedonia and Albania. Macedonia’s Nova TV notes that Skopje expects the negotiating framework to be announced soon and the first intergovernmental conference to be held by the end of the year.
Bulgaria’s position has not changed
In recent months, Sofia has repeatedly (and especially actively, at the end of April) recalled her position on the negotiations with Skopje, which includes the resolution of historical problems, but also controversial points, such as what the unrecognized Macedonian language will be called. The historic commission created by the treaty practically ceased to function after EU member states initially refused to start talks with Skopje, mainly due to resistance from Paris. One of the arguments was that early elections were approaching (called by Prime Minister Zoran Zaev on the occasion of this event) and the discussions could become part of the election campaign and make it difficult to expertly resolve the dispute.
“Already last year, November, that is, ten months ago, the work of the intergovernmental commission, which is supposed to consider historical problems, stopped,” Karakachanov said by phone. “This is reason enough for Bulgaria to raise this issue very clearly. We have said it quite clearly, at least a hundred times in the last ten months, that if no agreement is reached on these issues, Bulgaria will oppose scheduling the first conference of ambassadors. They will not be clarified. This is the position of Bulgaria and it is very clear in Skopje. “
When asked if this means that the first intergovernmental conference, the de facto start of negotiations, will be blocked by Bulgaria, he replied: “Of course.”
“You changed your flag and your name, and you are wrong about Bulgaria”
Karakachanov refuses to enter into a discussion on whether “Bulgaria will continue to problematize the Macedonian language before the adoption of the negotiating framework,” the television said, recounting his reaction, saying that North Macedonia has two official languages, Macedonian and Albanian, and with your recommendation. to adhere to the contract.
“You agreed to change your flag, change your name. And with the country that has always helped (North) Macedonia, you think it can be done incorrectly,” the minister continued. “Do you remember that in international relations there must be reciprocity and when Bulgaria behaves like a gentleman, when Bulgaria behaves correctly, when it helps Macedonia (North), when it was the first country to recognize Macedonia, it must have a good attitude? reciprocal?” on the other hand. “
The intensified communication with Bulgaria continues, announced the North Macedonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs the day after the interview. The press service of the institution affirms that “the European integration of the whole region is of interest to both countries” and that North Macedonia hopes that the current support of Bulgaria “will continue in the future”.
