Kristian Vigenin: The commitments of the Republic of North Macedonia are to the whole European Union, not only to Bulgaria

“Bulgaria runs a stable financial policy and is developing in an economically stable way. The positive convergence reports on the country entering the eurozone confirm it. We put considerable effort into getting to this point.” This was said by the head of the Delegation of Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament Kristian Vigenin on Focus radio. He added that this is good news for the whole European Union, since it shows that integration is stronger.

“From here on serious work lies ahead, an active information campaign on the introduction of the euro is needed. All parties with a bearing on this process have to take part in it,” the MEP emphasised.

The postponement of the North Macedonia report

Kristian Vigenin also commented on the postponement of the vote on the report on the progress of North Macedonia, which Bulgarian MEPs requested. “We expressed our doubts about the procedures in the preparation of this report. The findings are not impartial. The Macedonian side definitely had information about what proposals would be made, it was agreed with them, but not with us, what would be included in the so-called compromise proposals. This is not normal,” he said. Vigenin highlighted the fact that all MEPs signed the letter, and that this is a clear signal to the European Parliament that the problem is serious. In his view what happened will serve as a lesson, so that such situations do not arise again. The decisions have to be taken in the European Parliament, not in the capitals of the countries that want to become EU members.

“The commitments of the Republic of North Macedonia are to the whole European Union, not to Bulgaria specifically. Reducing the question to a bilateral one, which the Macedonian side is trying to do, cannot work and it would be short-sighted to walk into that trap. However much we simplify the procedures, in the end the commitments have to be met. Member states have to meet the principles, requirements and conditions of every negotiating chapter. Everything is in the hands of the Macedonian side. Once they do it, the process moves on from there,” the head of the Delegation of Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament commented.