The Republic of North Macedonia is stopping its own European path

“The European Union unambiguously supports the European perspective of the Republic of North Macedonia, but the process is at a standstill because of the lack of political will and reforms on the part of the Macedonian authorities. The European Commission report published a few weeks ago is categorical, the Commission is hardening its tone and clearly states that reforms in key areas are delayed and that the country has not made the necessary efforts to fulfil the commitments it took on.” This was stated by Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, who opened the debate at the meeting of the joint parliamentary committee bringing together MPs from North Macedonia and members of the European Parliament.

“The situation is clear, substantive negotiations can only begin once Bulgarians are written into the Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia,” Vigenin stressed. He specified to the country’s representatives that this is not a Bulgarian but a European requirement.

Rule of law, media freedom and foreign policy

The meeting discussed questions related to the rule of law, media freedom and the foreign policy of the Republic of North Macedonia. The main focus was on the pace of the country’s progress on the path to European Union membership.

“The aim of this dialogue is to find a path to resolving the problems. The approach of the authorities in North Macedonia, however, is to pretend that there are no problems, the messages of those in power look as if they come from a parallel reality,” Vigenin said. He pointed to the case in which Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski claims that the attacked journalist Vladimir Perev “got wet from the rain and injured himself”. “Provocations like this have no place if the Macedonian side wants to normalise its relations with Bulgaria,” the MEP warned.

“My call to the colleagues from North Macedonia is to find a path beyond political rhetoric and the traditional threats. The country’s citizens have clearly chosen European integration. It remains for their government to follow them,” Vigenin concluded.