The Bulgarian parliament voted on Friday to lift the Bulgarian government’s veto against the start of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia. The majority of MPs voted in favor of a corresponding resolution, which, however, also contained conditions. The government has been instructed to accept the French EU presidency’s proposal to settle the dispute between the two neighboring countries.
Now, under the French proposal, the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia must be guaranteed through amendments to the Constitution of North Macedonia and the government in Skopje must commit to maintaining good relations with Bulgaria. “This is the best offer Bulgaria has received so far. It offers European guarantees that Bulgarian interests are protected,” said Elizaveta Belobradova, a deputy from the Bulgarian Democratic Party.
However, it must now become clear whether North Macedonia will also accept the compromise. North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacewski described the French proposals in a Facebook post on Thursday as “unacceptable”.
Albania also hit by veto
170 MPs voted yes, 36 MPs voted no. There were 21 abstentions. Bulgaria has blocked the start of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia since late 2020 over North Macedonia’s refusal to respond to demands on Bulgarians’ rights in the country, history and language.
Sofia insists that Bulgarians in North Macedonia be treated equally. The EU candidate Albania was also affected by the veto and will start accession negotiations with North Macedonia at the same time. Now this blockage can also fall.
Nehammer sees ‘breakthrough’
Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) sees a “breakthrough” in the Bulgarian parliamentary vote. At the end of the EU summit in Brussels on Friday, he congratulated the outcast Bulgarian Prime Minister Kirill Petkov on his “personal commitment”. Nehammer was convinced that the vote by the Bulgarian parliament would open up new opportunities and speed up the resolution of the conflict.
Nevertheless, the chancellor expects talks, also from North Macedonia. “But I think it can be solved,” Nehammer said.
Own country name changed
Before 2020, France and the Netherlands in particular had delayed the start of accession negotiations with the two Western Balkan countries. Due to a lengthy dispute with Greece and a blockade by Athens, what was then Macedonia even changed its state name to North Macedonia. Until 2020, Bulgaria had not objected to opening EU accession negotiations with the neighboring country.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
