After the National Security Council: Bulgaria reaffirms its position on the Republic of North Macedonia

The meeting of the National Security Council, convened by President Rumen Radev today, January 10, has ended. Bulgaria reaffirms its position towards the Republic of North Macedonia (RNM)- that the EU membership negotiations should not be bound by deadlines, but by concrete actions in implementation of the 2017 Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighbourliness and equal treatment of Macedonian Bulgarians.

"The Consultative Council on National Security (CCNS) discussed the prospects for the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU. Particular attention was paid to the process of integration of the Republic of North Macedonia, which is stagnant. It was noted that four years after signing the 2017 Treaty, the candidate country did not do what was necessary for its implementation and does not guarantee the fulfilment of its commitments," Radev said.

Thirty years ago, on January 15, 1992, Bulgaria was the first in the world to recognise today's Republic of North Macedonia as an independent state, Radev reminded. Our country has never denied and does not deny the right of the citizens of the RNM to self-identification on the basis of their own self-awareness, as well as to use their languages ​​according to the constitution of their country.

In line with the consistent Bulgarian position over the years, Radev once again pointed out that the key issue for Sofia remains the protection of the rights of Macedonian Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia.

The decade-long policy of discrimination against Macedonian Bulgarians, 120,000 of whom are Bulgarian and EU citizens, has recently escalated into open public attacks on citizens, who declared their Bulgarian origin. The rights of Macedonian Bulgarians are a key element of the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership. They cannot be negotiated and their protection is explicitly stated in the Declaration of the National Assembly from 2019," Radev added.

"The participants in the CCNS agreed that comprehensive, targeted and well-resourced actions are needed to restore trust and intensify bilateral cooperation between Bulgaria and the RNM in all areas of mutual interest," the President said.

Of particular importance are projects providing transport, digital and energy connectivity, with a focus on Corridor 8.

The following proposals have been adopted:

• In conducting the internal policy, the Council of Ministers to observe the national position of Bulgaria, observing the requirements of the Treaty in 2017, the Framework Position of 2019 and the declaration of the 44th National Assembly;
• Giving consent for the start of negotiations for the accession of the RNM to the EU should not be bound by deadlines, but by real results, especially with regard to the Macedonian Bulgarians;
• The Executive will continue to work to report on the implementation of the 2017 Treaty in the negotiation process for RNM membership in the EU;
• The Executive to prepare and provide an action plan with measures to achieve tangible progress in all areas of bilateral relations;
• The Executive to propose to the RNM partners the establishment of joint working groups in areas in accordance with the 2017 Neighbourhood agreemen;.
• The Executive should take measures to accelerate the construction of Corridor 8 together with RNM and Albania, as a single project -motorway, railway, energy and digital connectivity;
• The National Assembly should propose to the RNM legislative body the establishment of a structured dialogue between friendship groups and parliamentary committees, which would strengthen trust and support the overall process.

The CCNS also reaffirmed Bulgaria's position on Albania - that the country is ready to start negotiations for membership in the European Union.

All participants in the CCNS united around the position to intensify the dialogue between Bulgaria and the RNM, which in the last few years has stalled at all levels - business, economy, infrastructure, energy projects.

The meeting of the CCNS is taking place a few days before the planned visit of Prime Minister Kiril Petkov to Skopje on January 18th, where he will meet with the future Prime Minister of Bulgaria's southwestern neighbour, Dimitar Kovachevski.

PM Kiril Petkov promised the creation of four more working groups to the joint commission on historical and educational issues, as well as flight connection Sofia - Skopje.