Foreign Minister Zaharieva: Until we receive legal guarantees, we cannot support the Republic of North Macedonia

Bulgaria has done everything in its power to achieve a qualitative new beginning in bilateral relations with Skopje. From the recognition of independence in 1992, the helping hand in every crisis, through the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, when our country put enlargement high on the EU agenda, to our help in dealing with COVID, Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said on November 18 in Pareliment, where she was summoned to a hearing to provide up-to-date information about Bulgaria’s relations with the Republic of North Macedonia.

"Unfortunately, we already have a long list of cases in which they do not adhere to signed bilateral documents," Zaharieva said from the rostrum, noting that until our country receives the legal framework, both from Skopje and in the context of the negotiation process in the EU that this policy will be changed, we cannot agree to hold the first intergovernmental conference.

Foreign Minister Zaharieva: Bulgaria cannot approve EU negotiating framework with North Macedonia

Refusing to talk about sensitive issues, anti-Bulgarian ideology and doctrine remain more dear for part of the political elite in the Republic of North Macedonia than even membership in the European Union, Zaharieva said.

"It is not the common that is sought, but the division," she commented, pointing out that the Bulgarian position is presented manipulatively and distortedly.

"In this situation, we feel compelled to stop the support ," Zaharieva added, expressing hope that we would have the "wisdom to learn from the past and build true friendship and good neighbourliness."