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The dispute between Sofia and Skopje can still be resolved with a document added to the 2017 Neighborhood Agreement, and with a few more stipulations to improve relations and their implementation and for bilateral cooperation. This is what Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev told Deutsche Welle a day after Bulgaria confirmed its veto on the actual start of negotiations between North Macedonia and the European Union. However, most of his proposals differ from Sofia’s demands.
Zaev’s exact words are that “there is a possibility of finding a solution with some protocol, a memorandum under the Agreement with Bulgaria … in order to confirm the expectations of the Bulgarian people.” Therefore, it again avoids the word “annex”, which some of the rulers of Sofia have, but which is rejected by some in Skopje’s political elite, including at least one with whom Dnevnik speaks, but leaves open the possibility that a document is added to the treaty. to help find a compromise.
The interview was published before the Bulgarian side responded angrily to the insults and qualifications used by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Macedonian agency MIA, Zoran Ivanov, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva. Subsequently, the government announced that it had initiated a procedure to release him from the governing body.
Sofia highlighted several problems in the negotiation framework, for which she did not adopt a decision of the General Affairs Council, among them the need for a roadmap for the implementation of the agreement, the total rejection of the term “Macedonian language” in the process. negotiation and reaffirmation that there will be no claims. for the “Macedonian minority” in Bulgaria. In front of Deutsche Welle, Zaev spoke about the formula “Macedonian language according to the constitution of North Macedonia”; it follows from his comments that Skopje is not willing to give up the use of the “Macedonian language” in the sentence of the negotiation framework. Bulgaria wants to speak of the “official language of the Republic of North Macedonia”.
According to him, the short name (North Macedonia), like the long name (Republic of North Macedonia), “refers to the political identity of the state without territorial aspirations or claims.”
“We definitely have no territorial or minority claims. States have international obligations in this regard, “Zaev continues.” They are Bulgarian citizens and defend their rights at home or around the world. “
What Zaev offers
In addition to a treaty document and assurances that North Macedonia has no territorial or minority claims, Zaev allowed the development of “roadmap for faster work in corridor №8”. Infrastructure was an issue mentioned sporadically by the Bulgarian authorities, but much less discussed than in history: Skopje has been criticized for not working enough to connect with Bulgaria, either on the railway line to the Bulgarian border or in the corridor of the Adriatic coast and the Black Sea. №8.
“How many times a year will the historical commissions be held?” can also be specified. The pause in the meetings of the joint Bulgarian-Macedonian historical commission, which was established due to the agreement and gave limited results (but is still considered progress on both sides), also caused irritation in Bulgaria.
“The Intergovernmental Commission, if necessary more than once a year, it (meets) twice, because this is also in our interest, and it will probably help Bulgarian politicians before the elections, “Zaev also states. It does not specify exactly how the commission, also established in the contract, would help. Bulgaria should be stable and have a government and a parliament that the people support, so that it can make decisions, including decisions of friendship and cooperation with our country. “
In the same interview, when asked how realistic it is to have a solution to the problem by the end of the year, especially considering that the elections are coming to Bulgaria, he said there is a possibility; He said this would create an opportunity for Prime Minister Boyko Borissov to go to the polls. problem. “The Bulgarian people will reward a person who finds a solution, not a person who creates a problem,” he said at another time.
My friend and brother Boyko Borissov is European and he has shown it, I don’t have to prove it … several times, especially for us as North Macedonia and the Western Balkans, and I think he will continue in this spirit. “
“Trying to define history”
In an interview published by the Macedonian media, he said that the problem between North Macedonia and Bulgaria had occurred for various reasons, including negative posts on social media, but also because “the Bulgarian side tried to define the story “. .
“We have a lot of bitterness at the moment because our best friend, whom we call brother, is blocking us. We still have time. The space has been given by the European institutions … and while the German presidency lasts, and that is until the end of December , we have the opportunity to do everything possible to find a solution, “continued Zaev.
“History is a flexible matter and, secondly, it is not the job of politicians, we must let historians work on this issue, because they have succeeded so far and they will succeed in the future,” Zaev said. He called the 2017 Neighborhood Accord “wonderful” and added that it contained “tools and means such as the phrase ‘common history’ or ‘general history’ as the Bulgarians call it.” The story “unites us and unites us”, but “if we make it more Macedonian or more Bulgarian, it should be a bone of contention and create conflicts.”
“I think that the Bulgarian citizens do not really want what is happening today. The Macedonian people would never block the Bulgarian people, and if the politicians do, they will be punished in the elections … I affirm that the vast majority of the Bulgarian people are against from the blockade. “Zaev said, although according to an Alpha Research poll commissioned by MEP Andrei Kovachev this month, 83% support the idea that Skopje should make concessions and solve problems with Bulgaria to negotiate with the EU.
