The adoption of the European Parliament’s latest progress report on North Macedonia sparked sharp reactions in both Skopje and Sofia, after references to the “Macedonian identity and language” were omitted from the final version of the document.
In North Macedonia, the move has been described as an unjust blow to the country’s European integration aspirations, while Bulgarian politicians hailed the outcome as a diplomatic victory.
The report, drafted by Austrian MEP Thomas Waitz, commends North Macedonia’s reform efforts in key areas such as judiciary independence and anti-corruption, but also points to persistent challenges the country must address in the coming period.
EU Ambassador to North Macedonia, Michalis Rokas, welcomed the report as a strong signal of support for the country’s EU path. Speaking in Ohrid, he reiterated that identity and language are not included in the EU negotiation framework.
“Identity and language are best protected through full EU membership,” Rokas said, adding that the European Parliament is an independent institution that makes political decisions under its own procedures.
Joveva: Parliament Recognizes Macedonian Identity and Language
Slovenian MEP Irena Joveva, who is of Macedonian origin, dismissed claims that the European Parliament does not recognize the Macedonian identity or language.
“Identity cannot be taken by lobbying or by vote. What happened was not fair, but the European Parliament has never claimed the right to decide on such matters for any people, including the Macedonians,” Joveva told broadcaster Kanal 5. She rejected the notion that Greek and Bulgarian lobbying had overpowered the chamber’s stance on the issue.
Opposition lawmakers in Skopje questioned why the issue of language was reopened at all. SDSM MP Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska said the matter had already been institutionally closed.
“The Macedonian language was used in the screening process with official interpreters. We had a bilateral statement that guarantees our language. So why is it being reopened now?” she asked during a TV24 broadcast. She blamed pressure from Bulgarian MEPs for the omission of references to the Macedonian language for the first time in such a report.
Bulgaria: A Diplomatic Win
Bulgarian officials praised the removal of references to the Macedonian identity and language. Former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov described it as a “clear sign that when Bulgaria acts in unity, it can defend its national interest at the highest level.”
Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev said the move prevented the European Parliament from being used for internal propaganda by Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski. “Bulgaria is a strong country, a factor in the EU and the region. North Macedonia must take that into account,” he told BTV.
Vice President Iliana Yotova also called the amendments a major success for Sofia.
Mickoski: “Bulgaria Worked Against Us”
Reacting to the developments, Prime Minister Mickoski said that although the references were removed from the final text, the version including them was first adopted at the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) level.
“Today, Bulgaria worked against us. But the world saw the injustices we face as a country and a people in the 21st century,” Mickoski told reporters in Skopje. Calling for national unity, he warned that “unless we are united, we will be trampled and erased.”
Mickoski accused Bulgaria of orchestrating pressure to influence the final version and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Macedonian interests. “There will be no new betrayal,” he said.
Report Passed with Overwhelming Majority
The report was adopted by the European Parliament with 461 votes in favor, 121 against, and 107 abstentions. However, it passed without the original language referencing the “Macedonian language and identity.”
Rapporteur Thomas Waitz expressed regret over the omissions, saying that recognizing a candidate country’s identity and language should be “natural and unproblematic.” He said the deletion of references was the result of amendments supported by four political groups and that the decision reflected the democratic process in the European Parliament.