"In the Bulgarians and the Bulgarian MEPs you have friends, we want your country to be a member of the European Union." This was how the head of the Delegation of Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament Kristian Vigenin addressed the citizens of North Macedonia in his speech on the report on the progress of the country in preparing for EU membership. He also sent a message to those governing in Skopje: "Stop creating a parallel reality in your country, stop looking for excuses and justifications. You have got to the point of accusing the EU of not being democratic."