European Council President Antonio Costa said on Friday that North Macedonia must fulfill its commitments under the EU accession framework, including constitutional changes, in order to advance its membership negotiations.
“I understand the discontent in North Macedonia, since they have amended their constitution, changed their national flag and even the name of their state. Naturally, they expect the accession process to move forward. But what has been approved is approved, what has been agreed is agreed, and they must fulfill it,” Costa told reporters in Sofia after talks with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.
Costa noted that the European Council set the conditions for Skopje’s accession process in 2022, and that the country’s progress depends on meeting them. He added he hoped negotiations could advance after elections in North Macedonia, which has been working on EU-related reforms for years.
At the same time, Costa stressed the importance of building trust and ensuring that no additional demands are made once the agreed commitments are met. He welcomed bilateral efforts aimed at improving connectivity and economic competitiveness between North Macedonia and Bulgaria.
“The accession process requires a lot, but the most important thing is to change attitudes. The key is that the region itself can overcome the conflicts of the past and focus on the shared future,” Costa said.
Recalling the origins of European integration, he said the EU was built after World War Two when France and Germany chose reconciliation after decades of conflict. “We overcame our past conflicts, and now it is time to work together to build a shared future,” Costa added.