Comments in Parliament on relations between Sofia and Skopje

MPs in Bulgaria’s Parliament on January 24 commented on the relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia.

Desislava Atanasova - GERB-UDF: "I would say that although the National Assembly took a decision and practically opened North Macedonia's path to European membership, we are very insistent that they follow all the criteria that are set in that draft decision. First of all - respect for human rights".

Assen Vassilev – “We Continue the Change”"This is not just a problem between Bulgaria and Macedonia, it is a problem of Macedonia with the whole EU. And we should use all the opportunities that are given to us to use all the power of the EU and convince Macedonia to respect the human rights of Bulgarian citizens there. Macedonia has not started the accession process and will not start it until Bulgaria and Europe make sure that Bulgarian citizens are fully protected in Macedonia."

Kostadin Kostadinov - "Vazrazhdane": "Macedonia has always shown that when it goes into a line of confrontation with Bulgaria it is ready to go all the way. The big question is how far Bulgaria can go. Macedonia is a country that has inherited the aggressive behaviour of the old Yugoslavia and unfortunately it saw last year that Bulgaria is giving in to pressure."

Kristian Vigenin - "BSP for Bulgaria": "We insist that this case, which is the culmination of a series of actions, be raised officially with international organisations such as the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which, by the way, this year is chaired by the Republic of North Macedonia."

Elisaveta Belobradova – “Democratic Bulgaria”: "Such statements are a fact in the Bulgarian Parliament and are a fact by Bulgarian politicians here, so this is to me is a coordinated policy in terms of us never achieving united Balkans".

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