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Denmark and the Netherlands are the two countries that have joined the Bulgarian veto over North Macedonia, Chasa reported 24, citing a diplomatic source.
On November 17, Bulgaria presented its position to start negotiations with the Republic of Macedonia: we support Albania for the EU, but not Macedonia. The next General Affairs Council, in which the negotiation process for North Macedonia can be decided for the last time this year, will be on December 8.
Earlier today, Macedonian deputy VMRO-DPMNE Antonio Milososki wrote on Facebook that “It seems that Bulgaria is not aloneand it 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, although there are no issues as controversial as with North Macedonia, there is strong disapproval of Albania’s 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. A General Affairs Council is scheduled for the following day, at which the North Macedonia negotiation process will be discussed again.
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.
“I’m sure we will find dispute settlement with BulgariaBut not in 7 days, it may take longer, “said the recently 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.
“From my experience, I will not agree with our Bulgarian friends to send messages through the media. It is better to remain silent to reach the desired solution. Our commission is working hard, we have the tools offered by the Treaty of Friendship.” Buckovski said. .
He added that as the country’s special representative, he hopes with his experience and the confidence that he enjoys in Bulgaria to demonstrate the government’s willingness to comply with the obligations of the agreement. Buckovski expressed his confidence that a solution could be found to unlock the EU integration process.
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, with which the German presidency disagreed. agreement.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Warhey has called on North Macedonia to do more 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.
Macedonian textbooks include what was agreed by the joint commission
At today’s meeting of the Bulgarian-Macedonian Commission for Historical Affairs, progress has been made, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said today, quoted by Nezavisen Vesnik. He noted that in the 2021/2022 school year the textbook will be implemented as agreed by the Joint Committee.
According to Zaev, Skopje is aware that talks with Bulgaria must continue regardless of the outcome of the next Council of Ministers. He was adamant that problems must be solved. According to the Macedonian prime minister, the agreements with Greece and Bulgaria must be honored. Therefore, he insisted that the special envoy of the North Macedonia government for Bulgaria, Vlado Buckovski, be a motivator for the implementation of the agreements.
Zaev explained that the Macedonian Foreign Ministry, in the person of Buyar Osmani, is holding talks with Bulgaria, including Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Dimitrov.
“We have prepared people that it is possible not to accept the negotiating framework, but our strategy is that we must keep talking and we will do everything possible until the last moment,” he said.
