North Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Timčo Mucunski said on Thursday that it is time for the country to stop negotiating national and identity-related issues with other states, calling bilateral blockades the main obstacle to European Union accession.
“I want to assure our citizens that the time has come to end all negotiations on national and identity matters with any state,” Mucunski said at a joint press conference with Montenegro’s Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović.
Asked about the stalled EU integration process and tensions with Bulgaria, Mucunski said Skopje maintains an ongoing dialogue with Sofia and would not allow the process to stall.
“If we lack initiative and dialogue, then we become complicit in blocking the EU integration – which goes entirely against our national interest,” he said.
The foreign minister emphasized that the country’s commitment to EU membership should no longer be measured by concessions on identity issues, criticizing the “bilateralization” of enlargement talks.
“We have a clear position: this process of injustices and bilateral obstacles must end. Even if constitutional changes were adopted tomorrow, in six months we could face the same scenario. This is not the European way,” Mucunski said.
He added that although he has initiated contact with Bulgarian counterpart Georg Georgiev, there has been no positive response so far. “Still, we will continue to work affirmatively to make this meeting happen,” he said.
Mucunski reiterated that the country seeks compromise – but only a reasonable one that ensures predictability in the EU accession process.
He also warned of destabilizing factors in the region, stressing that long-term security in the Western Balkans is a shared responsibility of NATO member states in the region.
“We cannot speak of a stable future without a clear European perspective. We will do our part, but the EU must also narrow the gap between expectations and reality, which is burdening all countries in the region,” he said.
Mucunski noted he is in regular contact with EU counterparts and that several initiatives are underway to unblock the accession process.
“Talks have not started due to subjective, not objective, reasons. But our position is clear – we want to end bilateralization. This practice harms all countries in the region and could create similar obstacles for other states in the future,” he said, adding that EU enlargement will remain incomplete without the inclusion of the entire Western Balkans.
