Vigenin: Declarations will not stop the war

“The dispute over Bulgaria’s position on Ukraine is completely unnecessary. It was stated clearly enough in Iliana Iotova’s speech to the UN General Assembly.
Our country has a somewhat different position and is trying to shape a different type of message, which it considers important for resolving the conflict, but it is not sensible for us to isolate ourselves from the common European positions.” This was said by Kristian Vigenin, MEP from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, in an interview for “Ofanziva” on NOVA NEWS. He recalled that all EU member states had committed themselves to the declaration on Ukraine and described the dramatisation of the issue as a consequence of the election battle that has already begun.

Vigenin did, however, criticise the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the way in which the Bulgarian position was communicated. “This is a purely symbolic way of expressing an attitude towards the conflict. But all of this could have been avoided if the information had come clearly from the Foreign Ministry and had been explained in advance rather than afterwards,” he commented.

The MEP highlighted the President’s position before the UN General Assembly: “Iliana Iotova was one of the few who tried to defend a different and forward-looking thesis that could stop the war. With this declaration we will not stop the war, we are simply saying once again how bad Russia is. And that is not an approach that works. The idea of a different approach was developed very clearly and transparently by Iliana Iotova. I think this is what we should be talking about – what we can do differently, not what is in the declaration.”

Asked about the comparisons between Rumen Radev and Iliana Iotova, Vigenin pointed out that in recent months she has shown how she defends the national interest and the interests of citizens. “I am convinced that there will be less tension and that issues will be resolved with a softer touch. Iliana Iotova has serious experience in communication and working with people, and serious foreign policy and European experience. This will undoubtedly build on the presidential institution,” he said.

Commenting on his participation in the 25th meeting of the EU – North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee in Skopje, Vigenin shared his impression that the authorities now realise they cannot walk away from the commitments they have made if the country wants to become part of the EU. The first step is the inclusion of Bulgarians in the Constitution.

Vigenin said he had also raised the case of Iva Mihaylova with his colleagues: “I raised the issue rather in the context of a humanitarian question, because first and foremost we must think of Iva Mihaylova as a person and of how she can avoid being left disabled, which is the risk. My colleagues showed understanding. This issue will be discussed and we will continue to raise it.”

According to him, the people who insist that North Macedonia should fulfil its European commitments towards Bulgaria and Bulgarians continue to be branded traitors. “The greatest betrayal of North Macedonia was committed, and continues to be committed, by Prime Minister Mickoski. Because if this commitment had been fulfilled in 2022, today North Macedonia, together with Montenegro, would be on the threshold of membership, instead of still being unable to start negotiations,” he noted.

Vigenin pointed out that there is now an awareness that Bulgaria is neither “so frightening”, nor will fulfilling the commitment lead to the destruction of Macedonian identity. “Our message was that this would clear the air so that we can cooperate, and would open North Macedonia’s path to the European Union,” he concluded.