Bulgaria’s National Assembly on Friday unanimously reaffirmed its support for North Macedonia’s EU accession, contingent upon the full implementation of the 2022 French-brokered agreement.
The resolution, passed with 194 votes in favour and none against or abstaining, underscores Bulgaria’s commitment to the July 2022 consensus, which requires North Macedonia to amend its constitution to recognize the Bulgarian minority and to uphold the 2017 Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness, and Cooperation.
“Any attempts within EU institutions to renegotiate, circumvent, or disregard elements of the agreed arrangements are unacceptable,” the resolution states.
Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev emphasized Bulgaria’s unwavering stance, stating, “Bulgaria will not take a single step back from the agreements concerning North Macedonia’s EU accession.”
The resolution also calls on EU institutions to ensure the protection of the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia, including their cultural and historical heritage, language, and identity.
Sofia expects Skopje to develop and present a targeted action plan for the protection of minority rights as part of the rule of law roadmap, with clear, measurable, and effective measures to be monitored throughout the accession process.
Georgiev reiterated that Bulgaria’s position is not a bilateral issue but a matter between North Macedonia and the EU, asserting that the European consensus reached in 2022 will not be revised.
In a related development, former North Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski, in an interview with Deutsche Welle, criticized Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, labeling him the “architect of Bulgaria’s blockade” and asserting that negotiations with him are unproductive.
“You cannot expect the person who created the problem to be part of the solution,” Pendarovski said, highlighting Radev’s role in promoting a hardline nationalist stance that has hindered North Macedonia’s EU integration.