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The Macedonian language and Macedonian identity are a fact confirmed by the UN and there can be no dilemma about it. This is how the North Macedonian government responded after Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva’s speech to “Reuters”, in which she urged Skopje to recognize that its national identity and language have Bulgarian roots and thus put an end to the claims of “a minority in Bulgaria.
“The Government of the Republic of North Macedonia is in favor of a dialogue that leads to a solution of open problems. We believe that at this stage, when making political statements, the process of talks between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs should not break off. “, is indicated in the position, reported the Macedonian site “Factor”, cited by BGNES.
The first Bulgarian diplomat told Reuters that our country does not dispute North Macedonia’s right to self-determination, nor its right to call its language whatever they wish. Bulgaria’s concerns are related to Skopje’s incessant claims about a Macedonian minority in Bulgaria, Zaharieva said.
“Our concerns stem from the incessant accusations of a Macedonian minority in Bulgaria. Recognition of Bulgarian roots would put an end to this.”, Zaharieva said in an interview with Reuters on Saturday.
He added that Bulgaria, which is focusing its first rotating EU presidency in 2018 on the rapid accession of the Western Balkan countries to the EU, could veto the formal start of negotiations with North Macedonia next month if the two countries they fail. to resolve disputes.
This is a new challenge for Skopje, which agreed to put “Severna” in front of the country’s name to resolve a decade-long dispute with Greece and clear its way to the EU and NATO. Renowned North Macedonia joined NATO earlier this year.
Bulgaria is losing patience over North Macedonia’s reluctance to implement the friendship agreement the two countries signed in 2017.
To get out of this situation, Sofia offered to officially support the start of negotiations if Skopje recognizes that her identity and language have Bulgarian roots and end the accusations of a “Macedonian” minority in Bulgaria.
If North Macedonia agrees, Zaharieva said Sofia is ready to recognize Macedonian as one of her neighbor’s official languages, as well as to recognize Macedonian identity, the agency said.
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